Cyclists like Daniel Hughes, his wife Rachel and sons Lachlan (right), 13, and Jonathan, 11, advocate cycling in the UAE. Photo: Delores Johnson / The National
Cyclists like Daniel Hughes, his wife Rachel and sons Lachlan (right), 13, and Jonathan, 11, advocate cycling in the UAE. Photo: Delores Johnson / The National
Cyclists like Daniel Hughes, his wife Rachel and sons Lachlan (right), 13, and Jonathan, 11, advocate cycling in the UAE. Photo: Delores Johnson / The National
Cyclists like Daniel Hughes, his wife Rachel and sons Lachlan (right), 13, and Jonathan, 11, advocate cycling in the UAE. Photo: Delores Johnson / The National

Cyclists take to the roads of the UAE


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We hope drivers in the UAE notice a difference on the roads today, when many of the country's cyclists participate in The National's #cycletoworkuae day. A greater presence of cyclists is part of the process of ensuring drivers take account of them, making life safer for everyone.

Today should highlight all the benefits of this form of transport: temperatures are perfect, the weather is likely to be dry and sunny, and every major city in the UAE is flat, cycle-friendly terrain.

It is also an ideal form of exercise. After all, today’s event is part of a wider campaign based on the theme of #healthyliving, because too many of us do too little aerobic activity. One reason why cycling is touted as ideal for all ages is because it is low-impact and the exertion level is able to be dialled up (or down) according to each individual’s fitness and inclination.

We also know that the UAE is not a risk-free cycling culture — nowhere is, although some places are obviously better than others — so all those taking part will also be taking precautions: wearing bright clothing to maximise the chance of being seen by drivers, a helmet to protect the head in case of a fall, and using lights if not riding in daylight hours. Perhaps the biggest precaution of all is to adopt a defensive attitude on the roads and not assume that drivers will be aware one’s presence.

But there is an element of self-fulfilling prophecy to initiatives like our cycle-to-work day. We hope drivers will notice the extra cyclists and become more cycle aware as they navigate the UAE’s cities. As they become more aware, more cyclists will feel confident about taking to the roads. As they do, municipalities will make greater provision for safe cycling, and yet more people might decide to buy a bicycle for their commute.

This process has already begun through the pages of this newspaper, as cyclists of all kinds recount the benefits and precautions of their activity. Most people outside of the cycling fraternity are likely to have been surprised that the UAE has such a growing cycling culture. And maybe more than a few of those drivers who notice the extra cyclists on the roads today will be motivated to leave their car at home and try it for themselves.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder

Started: October 2021

Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Industry: technology, logistics

Investors: A15 and self-funded 

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.

In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

match info

Manchester United 3 (Martial 7', 44', 74')

Sheffield United 0

Honeymoonish
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The specs: Macan Turbo

Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Results

4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

One in four Americans don't plan to retire

Nearly a quarter of Americans say they never plan to retire, according to a poll that suggests a disconnection between individuals' retirement plans and the realities of ageing in the workforce.

Experts say illness, injury, layoffs and caregiving responsibilities often force older workers to leave their jobs sooner than they'd like.

According to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, 23 per cent of workers, including nearly two in 10 of those over 50, don't expect to stop working. Roughly another quarter of Americans say they will continue working beyond their 65th birthday.

According to government data, about one in five people 65 and older was working or actively looking for a job in June. The study surveyed 1,423 adults in February this year.

For many, money has a lot to do with the decision to keep working.

"The average retirement age that we see in the data has gone up a little bit, but it hasn't gone up that much," says Anqi Chen, assistant director of savings research at the Centre for Retirement Research at Boston College. "So people have to live in retirement much longer, and they may not have enough assets to support themselves in retirement."

When asked how financially comfortable they feel about retirement, 14 per cent of Americans under the age of 50 and 29 per cent over 50 say they feel extremely or very prepared, according to the poll. About another four in 10 older adults say they do feel somewhat prepared, while just about one-third feel unprepared. 

"One of the things about thinking about never retiring is that you didn't save a whole lot of money," says Ronni Bennett, 78, who was pushed out of her job as a New York City-based website editor at 63.

She searched for work in the immediate aftermath of her layoff, a process she describes as akin to "banging my head against a wall." Finding Manhattan too expensive without a steady stream of income, she eventually moved to Portland, Maine. A few years later, she moved again, to Lake Oswego, Oregon. "Sometimes I fantasise that if I win the lottery, I'd go back to New York," says Ms Bennett.

 

Tips for SMEs to cope
  • Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
  • Make sure you have an online presence
  • Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
  • Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
    Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888