STORY TELLERS

Each week, we’d like you to share your thoughts, anecdotes, views or stories. Last week we asked you what is preventing you from cycling more?

A page for readers to share their views, thoughts and stories.

I bought a lovely blue cycle for my daughter to use. Less than a week later, it vanished from our apartment. I thought, it’s OK – let it go. Two weeks later, I bought another bicycle. We all used it. One day, my daughter parked near BurJuman metro station at the cycle parking area, with a strong lock. Within two hours, it had disappeared. Now I prefer my daughter walk rather than cycle, what with these bicycle poachers around making our lives miserable. Nandeeswar Seelavanth

Well firstly, it’s the lack of good roads for biking. Secondly, it’s quite peculiar for a woman to ride a bike in my area, which causes a lot of staring. And thirdly the unpredictable weather. Sometimes it’s so hot it’ll drain 75 per cent of water from your body, and sometimes it’s so cold you’ll catch the flu. But sometimes when it’s a cool day with no wind and fewer chances of staring, I take out my bike and catch up with all the days I missed biking so much. Samama Reza

Sheer laziness! Sureshbabu Bandi

Since childhood, I have been a very active person. Some of my aunts used to call me a boy; I used to try to climb trees, played with balls and I had a favourite bike that I would ride most of the day.

As time passed, I got busy with studies and these activities were left behind, but I still, somehow, found time for cycling.

After I got married, my responsibilities increased even further and eventually instead of me cycling,

I would watch my kids do it. They say that a lot of times, people want to see their kids do what they are not able to do because of different challenges or responsibilities of life.

Though before my schedule did not allow me to cycle, I have decided to start cycling again for my daily physical exercise since I am not able to take out time to go to the gym and this can be a way for me to start doing something I love again. Sadia Mohsin

The weather, cycle was stolen from apartment, no place to store safely inside apartment. Also prices to hire or buy a new cycle are on higher side. Prachiti Talathi

Ever since my childhood days my parents were too scared to let me ride a bicycle. Now I feel that I really want to learn cycling. My fear of getting hurt is stopping me from cycling but this year I will try to fight all my fear and learn cycling for sure. Megha Jain

Cycling is a sport that, when practised on a regular basis, can show dramatic changes in our body. Cycling is my favourite sport, but due to the lack of space and time, it has become hard for me to practise. To keep my stamina in good shape, my parents have made it a routine for us to cycle during the weekends. They usually take us to the nearest cycling spots like Zabeel park. On occasions we also go to Jumeirah so that we can enjoy the view of the water while working out. Ananya Pande

Lack of time and resources like a good bike and a proper cycling track near my house, and the laziness to drive all the way to a place where there is a cycling track stop me from cycling on a regular basis.

Cycling was one of my favourite activities. Those days of racing, breaking a knee, yet not losing that enthusiasm to speed up the pedalling – it was just unforgettable. The kid in one’s heart jingles just looking at a bicycle. But the increasing rate of accidents pulls back from that spirit of riding a bike. A cycle track to pump that passion for either a joyful or fitness ride is indeed a great need. Purnima

What stops me from cycling on a regular basis is Dubai’s weather. Either it’s too cold or it’s too hot and it makes you sick too fast. April-July would be a good time to do cycling on a daily basis. Sunanda Mohan

For me, my greatest barrier is my school... and the fact that I don’t have a cycle. I’d love to cycle everyday. You just can’t forget the feeling of the cool breeze rushing around you. But it’s either that you’re too lazy or you’re too busy. For me, I think it’s both. But I’m planning to ask my parents for a bike after my finals. Rutul Wankhede