UAE bike sellers urge customers not to skimp on safety gear

Riders put their lives in danger by skimping on helmets and lights, which do not cost much, say bicycle sellers.

Hybrid bikes sold at stores such as Be Sports at Abu Dhabi’s Mushrif Mall cost up to Dh6,000. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

ABU DHABI // Those who take to the roads on bikes without basic safety equipment such as lights and helmets are putting their lives at risk, say bicycle sales staff.

But even if customers do buy all the safety gear, shop staff said road culture would need to change in the country and become more considerate to cyclists.

Mohamad Waleed, sales and marketing representative at Be Sports in Mushrif Mall, said when customers buy bikes, most of them purchase a range of safety accessories. These include lights, helmets, cycling shoes, gloves and computers that calculate speed and distance.

“It is important to be seen and avoid accidents by fixing lights on your bicycle. Problems occur with visibility if there are no lights,” Mr Waleed said. This would reduce the chance of motorists seeing the cyclist. “Injuries also occur when the cyclists fall with no helmets on,” he said.

“Hybrids are the most sought-after bicycles. The price ranges from Dh2,000 to Dh6,000,” he said.

“All bikes have safety gears and additional accessories. But road safety does depend a lot on the cyclist themselves.”

Mr Waleed said, even with correct equipment, cyclists still faced danger.

“Nothing is safe, to be honest. Many people die. There is no respect for cyclists,” Mr Waleed said, adding that several of his customers had been injured.

While bikes in Be Sports can cost up to Dh6,000 some shops in downtown Abu Dhabi sell much cheaper models.

Said Alavi, manager of Safari Bicycle Shop, sells bikes ranging between Dh800 and Dh900 for adults and Dh200 to Dh300 for children.

He said just because the bikes were cheaper, it did not mean they were less safe.

He said his shop did not sell lights and helmets, but his customers could pre-order these safety accessories.

He believed reflectors placed at the front and rear of the bike were the most important safety feature.

“It is important to have the reflecting light for road use. We don’t sell the bicycle if there is no reflecting light. We must prepare it well, then sell,” he said.

Hassan Rasul is manager of Balloura Trading, which sells bicycles, among other items. He said making sure one’s bike was well maintained was paramount in keeping safe on the roads.

“Even if the bike is cheap, it is safe,” he said. “You can use these bikes for years without encountering problems. We will undertake servicing to provide better safety.”

Even those on low incomes should not skimp on safety equipment, he said.

“For example, safety lights can cost Dh40 or Dh100. Same for helmets, the minimum price is Dh50 or Dh60 and the maximum price can be Dh250. But they are all good quality, and all provide safety for the cyclist,” he said.

Mr Alavi believes the main responsibility of ensuring safety lies with cyclists themselves.

“If the cyclist is careful, he will be safe,” he said.