UAE | Leisure
Dubai Autodrome offers a safe haven for cyclists, rollerbladers
The track is open every Wednesday night to people of all ages to practice their sport
- By Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 April 24, 2010
- Image Credit: Francois Nel, Gulf News
- "Cyclesafe Dubai" is an initiative currently being proposed and tested allowing cyclists to use the race track at the Autodrome for regular training.
Dubai: Every Wednesday night, the Dubai Autodrome is host not to the familiar smells of petrol fumes and revving engines, but transport of a very different kind.
Far away from the noise and speed of car racing, the track is open to cyclists, joggers and rollerbladers, who take advantage of the smooth concrete and lack of cars.
The idea was started by organiser Stewart Howison, who decided to set up the scheme Cyclesafe Dubai. As a keen cyclist himself, he is aware of the dangers of exercising on the roads of Dubai, and so decided to find somewhere safe so that people can exercise away from fast-moving traffic.
"It's an initiative we set up in Dubai to get people off their couches and back onto the streets of Dubai, cycling in safety," Howison told Gulf News on the track tarmac.
"It's a great opportunity for everyone to come down and do whatever sport they want to do that's normally done on the roads. So anyone that's scared of doing something on the roads where there's cars involved can come down and do it on the track, where there's no cars involved," he said.
On TV
Howison added that there is 360-degree CCTV surveillance, so those using the track are monitored at all times, and there are medical personnel on standby and as well as pit crew who ensure everything goes smoothly. The track is flood-lit.
However, the track isn't just open for cyclists — joggers, rollerbladers and even a unicyclist all take advantage of the open, empty track.
"It's open to all age groups, from young toddlers to the old age pensioners that come and join us on the track. It's a safe environment for everyone to get on their bikes.
"Kids come down on their tricycles and then you have the pros that come down on their super-fast bikes, and go round, make chains and get some good training practice in," Howison said.
Safety first
The club circuit track is 2.7 kilometres, while the Grand Prix extended circuit is 5.39 kilometres. There are a couple of hills, providing a bit of variation for those on the track and, Howison said, occasional strong winds also add to the challenge.
In February, Gulf News staff decided to take different forms of transport to work. Cycling to work on Dubai Municipality's "No car day" proved dangerous, as the roads do not accommodate cycle lanes, and traffic passes very closely.
"The biggest problem with cycling in Dubai ... comes from the fact that as a culture or a country or as a nation, it's never been exposed to cycling as a sport that takes place on the streets," Howison said. "Now, you've got all these big fast cars going around the roads of Dubai, and never having had to be aware of cyclists on the road, so nobody's ever paid attention to cyclists on the road ... the biggest thing is awareness — awareness in the fact that you not only have to look out for pedestrians, but a cyclist on the road as well.
"Our biggest concern is people being hit by cars."
Jason Schmidt, American, Swimming coach; David Jaime, Spanish, marketing director; Richard Reocreux, French, Sales Manager; and Arno Kukkuk, South African, Commercial Manager, also told Gulf News that safety was the main factor for their use of the Autodrome track.
Information
- What: Cyclesafe Dubai
- Where: Dubai Autodrome, near Arabian Ranches
- When: Every Wednesday night, 6-9pm.
- Cost: Dh20 (to cover the costs of hiring the track, no profit is made by the organisers), free for children.
- Restrictions: Cyclists, rollerbladers, unicyclists, must wear helmets.
Web: www.cyclechallenge.ae
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