Alaric Gomes: Big plans for cycling in Dubai

Dubai: The other day a colleague of mine hobbled into the office on crutches. He had been playing basketball and, as he landed on his right foot, his ankle went. A week on and he’s got his ankle well strapped but he’s no longer using the crutches.

But it’s the festive season you see, and with not everyone going back home for Christmas, he’s very much going to be around in Dubai celebrating. With basketball out of the question, he still needs to keep fit. And here too, he’s worked out the details — he wants to go cycling.

Take a look at the UAE roads and the accident rate each year, and not many will be convinced that this place can be safe for cycling. (No, I am not referring to the delivery boys from hotels and food establishments who are always getting pulled up by police for violating rules for riding on pavements and crossing streets with their cycles).

Believe it or not, cycling is going through a transformation and this is one of many sports that may be a preferred choice of many in the near future.

There’s a new cycling track at Nad Al Sheba, another one that is much bigger at the Al Qudra area past the Arabian Ranches development and yet another smaller one along the Jumeirah Beach stretch. But the bigger plan is to have dedicated cycling tracks in various communities. The start has been made with tracks in Mankhool and Bur Dubai, while the plan is to make it at least 800km of bikeways in the next couple of years.

Consequently, the interest in cycling has suddenly gone big. Going by this trend, the Dubai Sports Council took it upon itself to innovate and, after much discussion and debate, decided to organise a proper cycling race that would showcase the emirate and the country.

And thus was born the Dubai Tour, which is scheduled to be held here from February 5 to 8. For sure, this is going to be one big event that is bound to further consolidate Dubai’s position on the world sporting stage.

The other day I had the fortune of meeting Tour Director Huraiz Bin Huraiz, formerly with Dubai Airports and Abu Dhabi Airports Company. Huraiz went on to tell me his vision behind having the Dubai Tour. The driving aspect on his mind, besides having a proper certified cycle race, is that of engagement and involvement from the community.

“Residents of Dubai and the UAE can be assured we will have some of the best cyclists from across the world coming here, but what we need most is that the residents back this event and make it their own. The race can only be a success if society stands firm behind it,” Huraiz said.

The challenge has been thrown. It is now time for us to respond.