PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Starting from four women who regularly cycled together, Pedal Puff Girls (PPG) has developed into a forum for female cyclists in Bandung City.

Pedal Puff Girls founder Hana Shella (29) said the community started in 2024 and has been actively involved since 2025.

"Initially, it wasn't a community. We were just cycling with friends, just the four of us, around town," said Hana on Jalan Cendana, Saturday, October 3, 2026.

The idea to form a women-only community emerged after Hana and her friends received input from a number of male cyclists.

They saw that more and more women in Bandung were starting to be interested in group cycling activities.

Pedal Puff Girls then created social media content with an initial following of around 200 people.

"Friends in Bandung started DMing us, 'Sis, do you want to ride together.' "So we hold cycling together every week," he said.

Hana explained that Pedal Puff Girls is open to women of all ages and does not limit the type of bicycle used.

"Of course, only women are allowed to join. Any type of bike is allowed, as long as it's not a motorcycle. Any age is also welcome," he explained.

Currently, the community WhatsApp group has more than 200 members and is approaching 300 members.

The weekly cycling group usually has around 50 participants, with the youngest member still in 6th grade.

Activities usually start at 07.00 WIB and end around 09.00 WIB before continuing with hanging out together.

In addition to regular cycling, the community occasionally collaborates with coffee shops and a number of brands to develop activities.

For Hana, Pedal Puff Girls is not just a cycling community, but a safe space for women who want to cycle together.

According to him, a number of women joined because they felt embarrassed or worried about having to cycle alone.

"The reason the person DMed us was, 'I want to join, Sis, because I'm embarrassed or afraid of riding alone.' "So that's it, let's ride together every week," said Hana.

The community also ensures that new cyclists are not left behind when they experience technical problems such as a loose chain or a flat tire.

Hana said that members who experience problems while cycling will be accompanied until the problem is resolved.

"Sometimes girls don't really understand cycling. I often worry about my friends getting left behind, their chains coming off, or their tires getting flat. So we always prioritize really supporting our new friends," she explained.

According to Hana, togetherness is one of the most tangible experiences during the community's existence because members are not just chasing speed.

"Friends like to be waited on, not left behind. So it's important to be together. It feels like togetherness," he said.

Women who want to join simply need to have a bicycle and participate in open cycling activities through the community's social media.

After participating in the activities together, participants can join the Pedal Puff Girls community group via Instagram @pedalpuffgirls.

For Hana, cycling is also a way for women to build friendships, enjoy the city of Bandung, and look after each other during the journey.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)