Moto X riders flip for Dubai

Shoppers and tourists were treated to a thrilling free show when world famous stunt bikers put their pedals to the metal in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa.

Freestyle Moto X stunt riders perform at Burj Park in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // Shoppers and tourists were treated to a thrilling free show yesterday when world famous stunt bikers put their pedals to the metal in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa.

The Freestyle Moto X Show featured stunt riders from Australia Ramp Design on motorbikes and specially designed trial pedal bikes.

"It was amazing when the riders did the backflips over the ramp," said 13-year-old David Anderson from the UK, who was watching with his parents and siblings.

"You don't realise how high in the air they get until you see it live."

The crowd grew during the course of the day as Dubai Mall shoppers wandered down to the park to see what all the engine roaring and cheers were about.

The riders performed a series of jumps including backflips as well as other manoeuvres across an 80ft ramp jump.

"I thought it would make for a nice picture so I brought along my camera," said Nathan Townsend, from Ireland. "It really is a fantastic setting to get the bikes jumping and then in the background you have the world's tallest building.

"It's been a lot of fun and I've really enjoyed it."

Rakesh Chouhan, a tourist from India who is in Dubai on a family holiday, said he was drawn by the cheers.

"I'm really impressed at how they have managed to get all those different jumps," he said. "They make it look so easy. I've been to Dubai a couple of times and I think these kinds of events encourage people to come here."

His brother-in-law Sanjeet Patel agreed, saying: "I think we need more of these kinds of free public events.

"Dubai hosts a lot of concerts and other things but they are expensive and get sold out very quickly so not everyone can go.

"Things like this I think can really add to the city. In cities in the US and Europe they have free public events all the time and it really brings a city together."

Visitors to Dubai Mall can catch the Freestyle Moto X show at Burj Park on Friday and Saturday, with performances taking place from 2pm to 3pm and 4pm to 5pm each day.