On the usually traffic-clogged streets of Tunisia's capital, cyclists are reclaiming the roads. 

COVID-19 curfews ban motor vehicles from the streets between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. – but for those not in cars, the general curfew does not come into force until 10 p.m..

It means that for three hours cyclists can travel on car-free streets, a freedom welcomed by cycling campaign group Velorution. 

"It's a great feeling. With the road empty you can ride fast and you feel safe. It's safe, there are no cars tailgating you, you can ride safely on the road," Oussama Mraidi, one of the cyclists taking part in a Velorution-organized ride, told AFP.

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Mehdi Zaiem, a member of Velorution said the organization encourages people to "use bicycles in all their movements" whether it be "to go to work, for leisure, even to travel."

He added: "We work for a change in the country's infrastructure and also for the increase in the number of bike users."

"This year, we felt with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic that people were using the bike more and more in Tunisia, before that, the bicycle was despised," said Zaiem.

Video editor: Pedro Duarte