Abu Dhabi: How cycling became a part of the Capital's culture

As more and more residents take to the tracks, cycling has become ingrained in Abu Dhabi's culture.

The government is actively encouraging cycling and has boosted the sport by building new cycling infrastructure, such as tracks across the city.

The emirate’s well established cycling club ecosystem provides opportunities for cyclists of all levels - from top-level competitions to weekly group rides and casual social rides.

Every evening - even in the blistering summer heat - individuals and groups of bike enthusiasts head to the cycling tracks at Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi Corniche and other cycling tracks across the city.

Professional cyclist groups can be seen riding through the Yas Island to Corniche through the Saadiyat highway, and on Sheikh Zayed Bridge towards Khalifa City and back to Yas Island during the weekends.

Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi became the first city in Asia to earn the prestigious 'Bike City' distinction for its high-quality and cycling-friendly infrastructure.

The UAE Capital was recognised as a Bike City by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the prestigious Switzerland-based governing body for international competitive cycling events, and also because the Middle East's only World Tour race "The UAE Tour" which begins early next year.

Abu Dhabi had joined other established ‘Bike Cities’ around the world, including Bergen in Norway; Copenhagen, the Danish capital; Glasgow in Scotland; the French capital of Paris, Vancouver in Canada; the English county of Yorkshire.

Road permit service for amateur cyclists

To further boost the cycling sport and preserve safety of road users, Abu Dhabi Police had in August launched the electronic road permit service for amateur cyclists.

These permits are provided to groups of cyclists who practise cycling that requires long-distance travel on roads with speeds exceeding 80 km/hr at the times they want to exercise

Members of the public can submit their applications using the Abu Dhabi Police website within a period of no less than 48 hours from the date of requiring the permit.

To obtain the permit, cyclists must meet a set of requirements, including wearing a helmet, placing front and rear lights on the bike, providing an escort vehicle to protect the group of riders, equipping the vehicle with hazard lights and adhering to safety requirements and others.

New cycling infrastructure projects to connect key attractions in the city

The emirate’s authorities last week announced a Bike Abu Dhabi platform, through which massive cycling-related infrastructure projects will be rolled out.

The mega plan will extend the Capital’s 300km cycling network to more than 1,000km. A big part of this project is the 109km Abu Dhabi Loop - a segregated cycle way that will connect key destinations across the city, further enhancing mobility and encouraging residents to engage in a healthier lifestyle through safe and sustainable transportation.

A new community cycling event: The Abu Dhabi Al Ain Classic a one-day race open to UAE clubs and amateurs will take place next year, starting in Abu Dhabi and finish in Al Ain. It followed the announcement by Abu Dhabi Sports Council of its partnership with RCS Sport for the organisation of the next three editions of the UAE Tour.