ABU DHABI // Residents across the country took their first steps towards a healthier lifestyle on Tuesday as they cycled to work.
The first-of-its-kind #cycletoworkuae campaign, launched by The National, called on people to leave their cars at home and use two wheels instead of four to get to work.
It aims to shift residents’ attitudes towards travel, help change the country’s car culture, reduce traffic on the roads and encourage physical activity.
Sander Van Reijzen, 34, who cycles to work at least once or twice a week, uses the long cycling track that runs alongside the Corniche.
“The dedicated bicycle lane here is a good start,” he said. “There are a few other streets there’s also one on front of my house but you encounter a pavement or something else.”
Mr Reijzen, who is from Holland and works as a general manager at an oil and gas company in Abu Dhabi, said there was a need to build clearly marked, direct and continuous routes that are completely separated from traffic.
“There is no continuous cycle path. This is what I think presents a challenge because when you’re crossing the roads there’s no continuous cycle path.”
In April last year, the Department of Transport unveiled the Walking and Cycling Masterplan to make the emirate safer and encourage residents to walk or cycle by doubling the number of dedicated paths by 2020.
“I think they can look at Holland, where we have a continuous cycle path everywhere and you need to get up and run,” said Mr Reijzen, who takes about 15 minutes from his home at Khalidiya Palace to his office on Khalidiya road.
“Here, sometimes you have to navigate the pavements, which is quite a challenge.”
Rodel Rodriguez, 47, a respiratory therapist from the Philippines, agreed.
“Creating continuous cycle paths will make cycling safer and easier for us,” he said. “Pedestrians and motorists should also respect cyclists. There should be strict rules governing sharing the road with cyclists to prevent bike-car collisions from happening.”
Mr Rodriguez, who is one of the council members of a cycling group Chaindrive Abu Dhabi, uses a mountain bike during training sessions on the Corniche. The group cycles to Reem Island, Mina Zayed and Al Bateen.
“I sold my car three years ago,” he said. “I did it for health reasons. After two months of cycling, my cholesterol levels and blood pressure normalised.”
The Dutch living in the UAE find themselves at home on two wheels as they participate in the #cycletowork campaign today.
The employees of the Dutch Embassy used today as a chance to organise team-building in the Crown Plaza as the entire team rode from the ambassador’s house to the hotel in Al Danah.
“Well you can say that we are almost born on a bike, because it’s a transport for young and old, those who do very well in life and for those who have average jobs,” said ambassador Jennes de Mol.
He said bikes create a sense of equality in the community, taking on a more democratic method of transportation.
“I love being back home to cycle but I also love it here to see people biking more and more I think it’s very positive,” said Mr de Mol
“I think the government is on the right track, but it has to stimulate the construction of cycle paths,” he said.
rruiz@thenational.ae
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
