Sheikh Zayed Road to transform into a cycling track on Nov 20

dubai — Sheikh Zayed Road will turn into a cycling track for the first ever Dubai Ride on November 20, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, has announced.

The non-competitive, free-toenter community event will be held as part of the ongoing Dubai Fitness Challenge. It will take cyclists of “all abilities and experiences on a ride through the city’s main artery”, organisers said on Wednesday.

This will be the first time that a section of the 14-lane highway is opened to cyclists. “Participants can enjoy the thrill of an outdoor bike ride while experiencing a unique perspective of iconic sights across Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Dubai Canal.”

Two routes

The first event of its kind in the city, Dubai Ride will feature two routes:

• 4km family ride: It is open to participants five years and older. The route will take riders around Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.

• 14km open ride: Created for cycling enthusiasts who are 13 years and older, this route will take them on a ride through Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Canal and Sheikh Zayed Road.

Invite from Sheikh Hamdan

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed invited Dubai residents to join him and “achieve a new milestone in your fitness journey”.

He said the Dubai Ride 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 and Prime Minister of the UAE 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.”