ABU DHABI // Cycling as sport, recreation and means of transport has been growing in popularity, but significant challenges still remain if the UAE is to become as cycle-friendly as other countries.
One major factor that many cyclists say prevents them from using roads in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is their safety in heavy traffic.
“I think most people who are interested in cycling wouldn’t dare go on the roads because of the horror stories they have heard,” said Neil Watson, 44, from Durban, South Africa.
Mr Watson has lived in Abu Dhabi for six years and took up cycling a year ago.
“There is a real concern about safety because motorists need to drive in a safer manner,” he said.
But Mr Watson does not think adding cycling lanes to roads would encourage people to cycle.
“I don’t think there is much that the authorities can do, to be honest,” he said.
“The issue of safe driving is not just limited to cycling, it’s one for society as a whole, and I’m not sure what can be done about it.”
For recreational cyclists an option could be to lay more cycling paths on pavements so they do not have to use the roads, he said.
Despite the risks, some people do choose to cycle to and from work but they generally have to carefully plan a route that avoids main roads.
As a sport, cycling has gone from strength to strength in recent years as new, dedicated cycle tracks have opened near Dubai as well as in Abu Dhabi.
A growing number of mountain bikers even take to the hills just outside Ras Al Khaimah.
One personal trainer says outdoor cycling could have more benefits than a regular workout at the gym.
Roshni Pankhania, of Multi Works personal training, said cycling outdoors increased fitness and helped to regulate mood.
“The benefit of cycling outside is that the resistance is always going to be different,” she said. “Indoors, there is no difference in the weather. In this country, because it is hot, your fitness levels are going to increase.”
To increase the number of people exercising outdoors, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport developed a Walking and Cycling Master Plan.
The plan, to make the emirate safer and encourage residents to walk or cycle by doubling the number of dedicated paths by 2020, was unveiled in April.
It says a change in attitude towards exercise and outdoor activities is essential to make Abu Dhabi more pedestrian and bike-friendly.
“We will encourage the public to use the facilities,” said Ibrahim Al Hmoudi, transport planning manager at the Urban Planning Council.
“The change will happen gradually. About 70 to 75 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s residents are guest workers, and not from the region.
“People coming from Germany, Austria and other European countries come with a culture of cycling.
“My kids will see them and they’ll try to be their friends and go with them. This change – a culture shift – is going to happen sooner or later.
“We need some programmes in the winter season to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
“We are still in the beginning, and we’ve taken the first steps. And after we provide the facilities and options and build the infrastructure, we can start talking to the public to try to bring them to use them.”
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