DUBAI // Chris Whately’s morning commute to work means he has to negotiate a labyrinthine route along side streets, pavements and open ground to avoid main roads before he finally arrives at his destination.
The 63-year-old Canadian has been cycling the 8km between his home in Jumeirah 1 and the Medcare Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital opposite Safa Park for almost eight years, much to the bemusement of his colleagues and other road users.
“Half of my colleagues probably think I’m mad and the other half are genuinely concerned that I might be involved in an accident,” said Mr Whately, who is an orthopaedic surgeon and the medical director at the hospital.
“But it’s something I love doing and I take extra care to stick to quiet side roads and sidewalks to make sure I’m safe.”
But he admits that, even among his cycling friends, he is one of just a handful of people able or willing to commute to work on their bike.
“Many of my friends who are avid cyclists go on rides on Friday mornings but they would never consider cycling to work,” said Mr Whately.
“In that respect I’m quite lucky because the route I take does not require me to go on to the big main roads and I can pick my way through quiet residential side roads.
“For most people, it’s just not feasible to cycle to work, especially if they have to take Sheikh Zayed Road every day.”
To help him negotiate his route, he uses a bike with thicker tyres and a more robust frame.
“It is much easier using this kind of bike than a road bike because I can go over pretty much any kind of terrain,” he said.
“I also make sure that other road users can see me, so I have lights on my helmet and on the front and rear of the bike. I’m probably the brightest thing on the road.”
The commute to and from his home takes between 20 and 30 minutes and is much quicker on bike than going by car.
“I use the bike five times a week but I also have a car and travel times really vary,” Mr Whately said.
“Sometimes it can take 15 minutes by car but other times an hour.
“I actually have a colleague who lives near me and he drives a Porsche and I’ve always beaten him home from work on my bike.”
Despite his best intentions to avoid the main roads, his journey does involve having to cross Al Wasl Road, but this is always done at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
“The mindset you need to have if you’re going to cycle to work must be a defensive one,” he said. “Never assume that the driver has seen you if they are approaching an intersection and are about to come out.
“Most drivers do not expect to see a cyclist on the road so they will not be expecting you and will probably misjudge your speed and the distance.
“I’ve had cases where the car has pulled out and I’ve had to apply the breaks to avoid colliding with it.”
The surgeon praised the work of authorities in creating safe cycling tracks for people to ride but said it may not be feasible to have more commuters use bicycles.
The heat and humidity, as well as a lack of cycle paths on or near the roads in the city, were an issue, he said.
“We would need more dedicated cycle lanes within the city but I’m not sure how likely that is, as well as drivers being more educated about people on bicycles,” Mr Whately said.
“For me, cycling is not only healthy but it’s a great way to relieve stress.
“Once I finish work and begin my journey home I leave all the issues and stress in the office and enjoy the ride home.”
nhanif@thenational.ae
