The sandy dunes and arid climate of the UAE make an atypical setting for cycling. The nation has, however, excelled when it comes to promoting cycling as a competitive sport, a healthy hobby and as an eco-friendly mode of transportation.
UAE Team Emirates has made a name for itself at this year’s Tour de France, cycling’s premier road race. In what was one of the closest finales in the race’s history, Slovenian athlete Tadej Pogacar, cycling for Emirates, won the penultimate stage to clinch victory in the overall General Classification.
"I’m really proud of the team. They made such a big effort,” said Pogacar. “To get the yellow jersey [the award for the leading cyclist at each stage of the race] on the final day is what we dreamed from the start.”
Pogacar, who is the youngest winner in 116 years, won a total of three stages on his Tour de France debut.
His outstanding performance was an inspiration to fans all around the world, and gives the UAE reason to feel proud. The 21-year-old rider’s success also sends a strong message of hope to other aspiring athletes who, in many cases, have had their training interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic and a global economic recession.
Cities around the Gulf have witnessed a growing interest in cycling in recent years – not only as a competitive sport, but also as a way to stay in shape while reducing the carbon footprint. Cycle paths have been constructed throughout Abu Dhabi and Dubai, for example, making it increasingly possible for residents to commute by bicycle during the more temperate seasons of the year.
Last month, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said that Dubai aims to become a bicycle-friendly city. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has so far laid out around 425km cycling tracks in different areas of the city. By 2025, the RTA aims to extend cycling tracks to 647km. New laws are set to be introduced in a bid to encourage people to practice cycling as a sport but also as an alternate mode of transportation. In Abu Dhabi, Masdar City’s cycling track was also part of a larger drive for sustainability and healthy living.
Gulf nations have some of the Middle East’s highest rates for preventable conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes among their population. Arab leaders are taking action to encourage their people to look after their health, especially as most of these conditions can be prevented with small lifestyle changes.
As the cooler months approach, exercising outside or commuting to work by bicycle should be all the more enjoyable
The UAE is looking to reduce the obesity rate among children as part of its National Agenda. Obesity has already declined by one quarter and diabetes has decreased by more than a third among adults in the UAE, according to the 2019 National Health Survey. These positive results have been achieved thanks to awareness raising campaigns about preventable diseases.
Most importantly, Emirati leaders have led by example when it comes to embracing healthier lifestyle choices. For instance, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, shared footage of himself on social media as he cycled around the city with friends and aides last month.
As the cooler months approach, exercising outside or commuting to work by bicycle should be all the more enjoyable. And with new cycling tracks set to open in the country, bicycle enthusiasts have much to look forward to.
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
The Energy Research Centre
Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
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Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.