Dubai has built tracks, all you need is a cycle

Cyclists test Dubai's latest cycling track in District One on Sunday.

With many cycling tracks and strict safety standards, Dubai is finally becoming a bicycle-friendly city. However, that was not the case a few years ago.
When cycling enthusiast Anders Mard arrived in Dubai 17 years ago, it took him three months to find a cyclist on the road. "I arrived in Dubai with a suitcase in one hand and a cycle in the other. But it took three months to finally find a cyclist on the streets of Dubai ... Today, if you go up to the Nad Al Sheba cycling track, you can find up to 200 cyclists on the track," said Mard.
New cycling tracks are now opening up in the middle of the city, making it more accessible for enthusiasts, said Mard. The city's safety standards and cycling groups are the other reasons for Dubai's soaring popularity among cyclists.
The Swede airline pilot and cycling enthusiast spoke to Khaleej Times at the opening ceremony of the District One Cycling and Running Track on Sunday. The 8.4-kilometre track has been opened for cyclists and joggers, who can access it for free.
Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, chairman and CEO of the Meydan Group; and P.N.C. Menon, chairman of the Sobha Group, opened the track.
Several cyclists at the facility said the track was straight, without any curves or bends, making it more enjoyable for them. "The track is good for cyclists of all levels ... Both beginners and experts can enjoy it," said Zimbabwean national and airline pilot Roy Dixon.
Dixon has completed four full-length Ironman triathlons and has been living in Dubai for the last 17 years. "I think cycling in Dubai is definitely coming of age."
He said the cycling safety culture has been made very efficient by the government as well as cycling groups in Dubai. "Wearing of a helmet is now mandatory ... People also have to attach lights on the front and back side of their bikes, making it much safer for cyclists to ride on the open roads," he said.
Road users have also become more sensitised to the needs of cyclists, according to Dixon.
The ladies of the 'Pink Socks' fitness group said the track has made it very conducive for them to pursue cycling as a sport. The group that was formed in October encourages women to cycle, run, swim, do yoga, and be part of any kind of fitness activity. South African national Christine Voster said: "The new track is extremely smooth, well laid out and safe for cyclists."
Dutch national, Ingrid van de Kamp, said: "The track is safe for women and children and there is plenty of space to rest and stretch. People who live in the centre of the city do not have to travel as far as Al Qudra cycling track to cycle."
British national, Cordelia August, said: "The track is also safe for night time cycling."
Security and facilities
Nearly 50 cyclists and joggers tested the track for the first time on Sunday. The track runs the entire periphery of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, also called the District One. Al Tayer said the future construction of District One will not affect access to the running/cycling track.
"The plans for this track were drawn ... almost a year ago, keeping security of its users as number one priority. Construction of District One will be well-spaced, and once the underpass access for road users has been constructed, cyclists and joggers will not be bothered at all," said Al Tayer.
The track is illuminated by solar-powered lights to ensure good visibility when cycling or running at night and uses minimal energy consumption, making this an environment-friendly facility.
"About 340 of these lights have been imported from France, and unlike the bigger, lumpy solar-powered LED lights, these posts have embedded solar panels, making it sleeker and less space consuming," he added.
The running track is four metres wide and has a specialised running surface, while the cycling track is just over six metres wide and includes several break areas. Around 1,500 plants and shrubs have been planted around the tracks, and eventually there will be over 90,000 trees around the District One facility.
Al Tayer stated that as part of phase 2 of the project, the track will be extended to 41km. The builders of the project plan to build a bicycle shop, a coffee shop and several rest houses at entry and exit points of the track.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

Dhanusha Gokulan

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com