JobXDubai

Summer is here in the UAE, and the temperatures are rising. However, some Dubai residents are still keen on cycling to work – citing practicality and the health benefits biking brings, not to mention their contribution to reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

Residents Save Money and Stay Healthy

Dubai resident Mohsin Hasam Palija, 35, has been saving at least Dh700 monthly for the past year by not taking a taxi and instead using a bike for his daily commute to work and home. “I prefer renting a bike over owning one because there’s no maintenance cost, and I don’t have to worry about parking,” he said.

Another Dubai resident, Muhammad Naveed, 31, said he finds it more convenient to use bikes than the public buses. He has been pedalling to work for more than a year, saving about Dh300 monthly by using a cheaper mode of transport.

Summer Heat No Problem

Summer heat is not a problem for Palija and Naveed. They usually go to work early morning, when the sun is not at its peak, and go back home late afternoon. “Cycling for 10–15 minutes is quite manageable,” the two expats agreed, as they also ensure that their bodies are hydrated and that they wear only comfortable and light-coloured clothes.

Bike-Sharing Apps Popular

Careem said their bike-sharing app is more popular among residents who use it for work rather than leisure. Seven out of 10, or 71 per cent use Careem Bike for work, while only 29 per cent use it for leisure.

Health Benefits

Naveed’s biggest motivation to continue biking is maintaining a healthy life. He said: “My doctor has noticed a big improvement in my vitals when I switched to biking to work. I not only save money, but I’m healthier now.”

Dr. Mohamad Awad, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Dr Rami Hamed Centre, said, “Biking to work is an excellent form of exercise as it gets the heart pumping and muscles working. It can also help in weight loss. A person who switches to two-wheel riding instead of four can lose several pounds in a year.”

Dubai’s Bicycle-Friendly City Plan

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced last month the construction of new multi-use tracks for bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians that will link Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street, with two bridges crossing Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. Dubai has a masterplan to build a bicycle-friendly city by extending the total length of the current cycling track network from 544km to 1,000 km by 2030.