DUBAI // It was an early start for a group of RAKBank employees, who swapped the comfort of their cars in favour of a two-wheeled commute in support of The National's second annual #cycletoworkuae campaign.
Fifteen cyclists led by chief executive Peter England, 54, rode the 10-kilometre route from Semmer Villas in Dubai Silicon Oasis to the bank’s main office.
Accompanying the cyclists on their 7am ride were two professional cyclists and two company cars, for safety.
“I believe very strongly in the concept of a healthy body and healthy mind,” said Mr England, who is from Australia. “If you drive to work and sit in an office all day and don’t get any exercise, it’s not good for you.”
Mr England, a keen cyclist, said: “It’s good for the community, and I just don’t see the negative in it.”
Initiatives such as #cycleto-workuae were important for encouraging people to think about a good work-life balance, he said, adding that cycling “was also a positive” for the environment.
“I think the infrastructure is beginning in Dubai, and initiatives such as this raise awareness and get people to start talking about it,” Mr England said. “You’ve got to get enough momentum from people who are interested, and the government is incredibly supportive.
“The facilities at Al Qudra, for example. Nowhere in the world has a government dedicated cycle tracks like that. It’s phenomenal.”
For Nabil Azar, 40, from Lebanon, the initiative was not just about staying healthy, but also about sending out an important environmental message.
“People should do this at least once a week, because there is a lot of focus on pollution now,” he said. “If I lived closer to work and there was an available cycle path, I would definitely not take the car every day.”
The father of two said that including regular exercise in one’s daily routine was important and that he encouraged his daughters, 2 and 5, to swim, ski and play tennis.
Masood Khan, 40, from India, was taking part in the initiative for the second time and has been riding regularly at Al Qudra track for more than a year.
“To start the day cycling is very refreshing. Even though you have to wake up a little bit earlier, it’s fine because once you get to work, it’s a different day.”
Mr Khan, who has been living in the UAE for 14 years, said he encouraged his three children to cycle.
Meenakshi Thathu bought a bicycle in October and trains regularly at Al Qudra.
“When people see that 15 of us have gone out and taken part in the initiative, more people will be interested in doing it next year,” said the 38-year-old Indian. “Even if you get one extra person to join, I think that would be good. I think there is much more awareness now.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae