Sheikh Zayed Road to become cycling track for Dubai Ride

Our Correspondent

Dubai’s busiest road, Sheikh Zayed Road, will turn into a track for the city’s newest cycling event, Dubai Ride, on November 20. This was announced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, who has spearheaded the health and fitness challenge since 2017.

The event is a non-competitive, free-to-enter, community one, held as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2020. It will take cyclists of all abilities and experiences on a ride through the city’s main artery.

Dubai Ride will feature two distinct routes – a 4-km family ride and a 14-km open ride. The family-friendly ride is open to participants five years and older, across all abilities and fitness levels. The route will take riders around Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. The 14-km route, created for cycling enthusiasts who are 13 years of age or older, will take them on a bike ride through Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Canal and Sheikh Zayed Road.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said, “The Dubai Ride, part of Dubai Fitness Challenge 2020, is aligned with our vision to transform the city into a bicycle-friendly metropolis and our efforts to encourage people to adopt cycling as a sport. Our greatest inspiration is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who has long championed the integration of cycling into people’s lifestyles – be it to enhance our health and well-being, or promote environmentally friendly transport in our communities. With the Dubai Ride, we celebrate this visionary objective. I invite you to join me and achieve a new milestone in your fitness journey.”

This will be the first time that Dubai’s visitors and residents will be allowed to cycle down a section of the 14-lane highway. Cyclists must be able to cycle a minimum of 4 km, bring their own bike and helmet and register to participate in the ride at www.dubairide.com.