The Abu Dhabi Tour concluded yesterday and its world-class competitors will soon leave the emirate after celebrating the end of the professional cycling season. But the legacy of the event will remain.
Hosting the tour came at the perfect time for Abu Dhabi, which has been making great efforts to promote a cycling culture. Bicycle lanes have been built in and around Khalifa City and there are plans to extend tracks on some of the city's main commuter routes, including Sheikh Zayed Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street.
Events like the Abu Dhabi Tour help to engage the public and boost the popularity of cycling as both a spectator sport and a healthy pastime. This is also what The National has aimed to do through its #CycleToWorkUAE campaign. We recognise that there are obstacles to cycling on our roads, but these issues are being addressed. As we build more paths, bicycle-only lanes and velodromes, we’ll soon all be getting on our bikes.
