'It was like when mobiles came out and everyone bought them. Everyone wanted a bike' - The UAE's cycling culture

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  • While football and cricket capture the bulk of sporting attention at times, cycling in the UAE has never been in a better place than it is today.

    On the heels of staging the UAE Tour, people in the Emirates are capitalising on the rapidly rising interest in the sport.

    And while on the outside, Dubai and Abu Dhabi may not be considered bike-friendly cities due to their busy roads, there are several tracks across the country which are perfect for individual and group rides.

    One of the men who has been a central cog in the growth of cycling is Wolfi Hohmann.

    The German, who owns Wolfi’s Bike Shop on Sheikh Zayed Road, has seen the sport go from strength to strength over the past two decades.

    “Originally cycling was very small. There were only groups of three or four riders. The city looked very different, roads were smaller and the routes were smaller and very different,” said the Freiburg native.

    “With Sheikh Mohammed (Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) implementing the cycling path at Al Qudra and Nad Al Sheba in recent years, it has really helped and the sport has become more trendy now.

    “The shower facilities are brilliant so people can ride and then go to work afterwards. I think it is unheard of to have the fantastic facilities we have in this country.”

    If you go up to Al Qudra any weekend you will struggle to get a parking space such is the huge demand to cycle. And with 50km, 70km and 100km options available, there is something for riders of all abilities.

    The tracks up at Nad Al Sheba and Al Mamzar Park in Dubai plus Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi also provide opportunities for cyclists, with a closed-to-traffic format to help make people feel safer.

    “With Dubai setting out to be the happiness and fitness nation in the world, it’s part of the mission. The tremendous support from the government with all the fantastic facilities available makes it easier for people to exercise,” said Wolfi.

    “When Al Qudra was built that was a bigger point to its growth. People felt like they were missing out on something. It was like when mobile phones came out and everyone started buying them. Everyone wanted a bike.”

    Now, people can join up with clubs like Dubai Roadsters at Al Qudra to meet like-minded people, make new friends and improve their fitness. Generally, as an expat, having a sport or activity to focus on outside of work allows you to switch off and feel more at home.

    “People really enjoy it. It improves your quality of life while also increasing your fitness and making new friends. It’s a great chance just to switch off before or after work. It’s like a meditated space. When I go out in the mornings, it’s like I’m refreshing my brain and system,” Wolfi added.

    While residents in some cities around the world use biking as their primary work commute mode, it is difficult in Dubai because some roads are unsafe for cyclists, as well as the strong heat of the summer months.

    “Cycling has always had that sporty touch in the UAE. In other countries around the world, it’s a bit more for commuting and coffee shop hopping. It’s a more dedicated sporting activity in the UAE,” said Wolfi.

    “Commuting to work is challenging though. There is a huge amount of cars. Some roads are difficult to cross too. Now in our winter, the weather is good. However, when the summer comes along, it’ll be soaring hot, so it is difficult.

    “I think the more and more people getting into the sport will give it more force. It’s easy to participate in and it’s a major sport here now.”

    In fact, cycling in the UAE is a boom that shows no signs of slowing down. But, what can be done to bring it on another level with its already beautiful facilities and well-renowned World Tour race?

    “We need a little mountain in Dubai with 500-600 metres of climbing. It would take some time. If we could build an island in the ocean with a path, then a mountain shouldn’t be too challenging,” added Wolfi.

    “With the city growing, new areas could be explored. There is an area in Jebel Ali Racecourse which could be ideal for a cycling path. A connection between Abu Dhabi and Dubai would be great too.”

    With the second edition of the UAE Tour starting on February 23, hosting a global event of this calibre is only going to breed more success going forward and hopefully inspire a new crop of youngsters to take up the sport.

    Having a local team like UAE Team Emirates to represent the country on the global stage will only further interest and exposure over time.

    “It’s fantastic. I’m watching the races and seeing UAE on the jerseys puts a smile on my face. It’s so cool having the UAE represented all over the world,” Wolfi said.

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