Bhubaneswar: Women revved up their motorcycles and hit the streets of the city to spread awareness about molestation, rape and crime against them.

They took out a huge motorcycle rally, accompanied by their male counterparts, and sensitised people about issues of sexual violence against women on Sunday.

The rally, organised as part of a nationwide ride against molestation, took place in 19 other Indian cities apart from Bhubaneswar at the same time. More than 150 bikers, both men and women, joined the rally here.

The rally started from a star hotel in the city and continued till Jayadev Vihar Square, passing through Red Cross Square, Ram Mandir Square, Vani Vihar Square to Apollo Hospital and Kalinga Hospital Square. They concluded the journey near the hotel from where the rally had begun.

All the riders were dressed in t-shirts which had the event name and its slogans printed on them. They were also carrying flags and banners to promote the cause. The banners has hashtags such as #RideForChange, #IWontTolerate, #IAmNotSafe, # StopMolestation and #StopRape printed on them. Once the rally concluded, the riders, especially the women, embraced each other in satisfaction.

"I have never seen such a long rally especially with women riders. They indeed have the capacity to change the thinking of society," said Pritam Mishra, a commuter who witnessed the rally.

A member of Odisha Bikerni Group that led the rally from the front said: "We don't want any more molestations in our city. We want to live with dignity. Ride Against Molestation is not just a caption, but an initiative by the entire biker community that we won't tolerate this anymore."

Barsha Priyambada, a member of the group, said: "We need to encourage girls and women so that such things would not happen. I heard about the schoolgirl who was molested by a teacher and later committed suicide in Malkangiri. Such people should be hanged."

Bhubaneswar North MLA Priyadarshi Mishra also supported the cause. "I appreciate the initiative taken up by the youngsters. It is important to put our youth at the forefront. The laws are there, but such evils can be washed away from society only if the public united behind it," said Mishra.

It is not the first time that the women bikers have hit the street for a cause. A few months ago, they took out a similar rally by themselves to promote the culture of Odisha. Clad in traditional Odissi attire, they rode their bikes through the city streets.

"We favour equality and development. There was a mindset that women can't do certain things, but we are here to change that perception. Today's rally was for a social cause and we hope that people understand its vitality," said Nirali Nirlipta, another member of the group.