• Cyclists traverse Sheikh Zayed Road as part of the Dubai Ride. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
    Cyclists traverse Sheikh Zayed Road as part of the Dubai Ride. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Cyclists rode past some of the city's landmarks.
    Cyclists rode past some of the city's landmarks.
  • Dubai Ride 2022 participants.
    Dubai Ride 2022 participants.
  • Authorities closed the busy 14-lane Sheikh Zayed Road for motorists between 4am and 9am.
    Authorities closed the busy 14-lane Sheikh Zayed Road for motorists between 4am and 9am.
  • Riders take selfies in front of Museum of the Future.
    Riders take selfies in front of Museum of the Future.
  • The Dubai Ride covered Sheikh Zayed Road between Trade Centre Roundabout and the Safa Park interchange, as well as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai.
    The Dubai Ride covered Sheikh Zayed Road between Trade Centre Roundabout and the Safa Park interchange, as well as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai.
  • The event was open to cyclists of all ages and abilities.
    The event was open to cyclists of all ages and abilities.
  • The Dubai Ride began at 6.30am.
    The Dubai Ride began at 6.30am.
  • The free event is the largest for the cycling community in the emirate.
    The free event is the largest for the cycling community in the emirate.
  • The RTA allowed participants who didn't have bikes to rent a Careem Bike for free at certain entrances of the race.
    The RTA allowed participants who didn't have bikes to rent a Careem Bike for free at certain entrances of the race.
  • Families, recreational and professional cyclists take part in the Dubai Ride each year.
    Families, recreational and professional cyclists take part in the Dubai Ride each year.
  • Sheikh Zayed Road is usually closed to cyclists.
    Sheikh Zayed Road is usually closed to cyclists.
  • Participants chose either a 4km or 12km route.
    Participants chose either a 4km or 12km route.
  • Thousands of people took part in annual Dubai Ride on the skyscraper-lined super-highway that cuts through the centre of the city.
    Thousands of people took part in annual Dubai Ride on the skyscraper-lined super-highway that cuts through the centre of the city.
  • Participants cycle past the Museum of the Future in the early hours of Sunday.
    Participants cycle past the Museum of the Future in the early hours of Sunday.
  • The Dubai Ride is a precursor to the Dubai Run, which follows a similar route.
    The Dubai Ride is a precursor to the Dubai Run, which follows a similar route.
  • A cyclist performs a stunt along Sheikh Zayed Road.
    A cyclist performs a stunt along Sheikh Zayed Road.
  • Dubai Police manage traffic for the Dubai Ride.
    Dubai Police manage traffic for the Dubai Ride.
  • The Dubai Ride took place on both sides of Sheikh Zayed Road.
    The Dubai Ride took place on both sides of Sheikh Zayed Road.
  • Riders captured in front of the Museum of the Future.
    Riders captured in front of the Museum of the Future.
  • Participants after the event.
    Participants after the event.
  • The Dubai Ride transformed the city's major roads into a giant cycling track.
    The Dubai Ride transformed the city's major roads into a giant cycling track.
  • Cyclists ride on Sheikh Zayed Road.
    Cyclists ride on Sheikh Zayed Road.
  • A cycling group taking part in the Dubai Ride.
    A cycling group taking part in the Dubai Ride.
  • The ride began in the early hours.
    The ride began in the early hours.
  • The event takes place as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
    The event takes place as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
  • Dubai Fitness Challenge encourages the city’s residents to commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days.
    Dubai Fitness Challenge encourages the city’s residents to commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days.
  • The Dubai Ride takes place annually.
    The Dubai Ride takes place annually.

Lifestyle

Things to do

Dubai Ride 2023 to take over Sheikh Zayed Road again next month

The free cycling event is one of the highlights of the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge

David Tusing

October 12, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai's biggest community cycling non-race will return on November 12.

Dubai Ride, an annual flagship event of Dubai Fitness Challenge, will take over the 14-lane Sheikh Zayed Road, open to cyclists of all ages and fitness abilities.

Participants of the free event, now in its fourth year, can choose from two route options, 4km and 12km, with the ride set to begin at the break of dawn from five different starting points.

For the 12km ride, the five starting points are Museum of The Future, Al Satwa, Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay and Lower Financial Street. The 4km ride will start in Downtown Dubai. Both routes will end at Dubai Mall by 7.30am, after which Sheikh Zayed Road will reopen for motorists.

Registration is a must as those without Dubai Ride bibs will not be allowed to participate. Riders can use any type of bike, as long as it has at least two wheels, and is safe and roadworthy with working brakes. E-bikes are allowed, but scooters are not.

All riders must also wear helmets.

Participants of Dubai Ride 2022 cycling along Sheikh Zayed Road. Ruel Pableo for The National
Participants of Dubai Ride 2022 cycling along Sheikh Zayed Road. Ruel Pableo for The National

Organisers have stressed that Dubai Ride is not a race, and participants are encouraged to cycle at their own pace as they take in the sights of the city from Sheikh Zayed Road for a few hours.

“In 2022, Dubai Ride had its highest participation yet. Now, in its fourth year, cyclists from the UAE and around the world will be able to take part and contribute towards the goal of an even fitter, healthier and happier community, and showcase Dubai as a great place to live, work and visit,” said Ahmed Al Khaja, chief executive of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, co-organisers of the event.

“Dubai Ride has become a cornerstone event on the Dubai Fitness Challenge calendar.”

Last year, 34,897 cyclists participated in Dubai Ride.

Started in 2017 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Dubai Fitness Challenge aims to transform the emirate into one of the world's most active cities by encouraging everyone to commit to doing physical activity for 30 minutes a day for 30 days.

This seventh DFC begins on October 28 and will feature free city-wide activities for everyone, irrespective of their age or fitness levels.

Registration for Dubai Ride is now open at www.dubairide.com. More information on Dubai Fitness Challenge is available at www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com

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Updated: October 12, 2023, 5:36 AM
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