Enthusiasts say cycling is safe in Abu Dhabi, as long as people are sensible

Expatriate bikers say discretion and being wary of vehicles can help keep people safe while they practice the sport in the capital.

Kevin Duell, a consultant with the UAE military, says he has cycled more than 50,000km in the country and he deems roads safe for cyclists. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // The capital’s wide roads and sufficient number of street lights make the city a relatively safe place for cycling, expatriate enthusiasts say, even offering favourable comparisons to their home countries.

The key to riding safely in the emirate is to pick areas wisely and avoid those that are very busy, they said.

“There are areas that I would not ride in – Mussaffah, for example – but if you use common sense and cycle defensively, Abu Dhabi is a great place to ride,” said Kevin Duell, a 58-year-old Briton.

“I have been here for six years and have cycled over 50,000 kilometres in that time, over 16,000 kilometres this year, so it can’t be that dangerous.”

Mr Duell, a training consultant with the UAE military, said the distances he had cycled showed that cycling in Abu Dhabi was not as dangerous as some might have thought, if a cyclist chooses sensible routes and rides safely.

“I have never had problems with drivers. The advice I would give to any cyclist is to be conscious of where you are going. Increase your visibility, wear a helmet and be sensible,” said Mr Duell.

Amy Carter, a 30-year-old Briton, said UAE roads are much wider than roads in Europe, making cycling here easy.

“Cycling is not as safe in Europe. I come from a rural area in England. You have to stop to let a car go past,” said Ms Carter, a business development executive at YASmena Cycles, a bicycle shop.

Ms Carter often rides in the city and has cycled in Al Bateen, Yas Island, Al Mushrif and Al Zeina.

Steve Watson, a managing partner at Gulf Multi Sport and an avid cyclist, said that cyclists have to be wary about where they are riding.

“In this emirate the majority of the roads are well lit, unlike where I ride back home in Australia,” said Mr Watson.

He advised cyclists to look out for vehicles, stay on the road shoulder and follow the road rules.

“In Australia, we have dedicated cycle paths down the side of the main road. I know there is a barrier between me and a vehicle and it would be fantastic to have that in UAE one day,” he said.

“It would be easier to cycle if we had infrastructure like that here.”

Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, director of public health and research at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, said that residents should cycle to work as long as they can protect themselves.

“Cycling to work is an issue that needs a bigger organisation to make sure that we have safe routes for cycling to the workplaces. I would strongly encourage people who know of a clear and safe cycling path to cycle to work in this great weather,” she said.

Dr Al Hajeri said the authority was working to improve urban planning designs for healthy activities, including walking and cycling. “I would ask people to wait as there will be a lot to come,” she said.