ABU DHABI Until recently an evening walk along a quiet street unhindered by speeding vehicles was an unthinkable luxury for most residents of Mohammed Bin Zayed city, one of the fastest growing residential areas in Mussafah on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi city.
But not anymore. With the completion of a 14.2 kilometre cycling and walking track, many residents are giving up their sedentary lifestyle and hitting the track daily for a run or long walk.
“Án evening walk was the most unpleasant experience for us till a few months ago. But now that things have changed, I am out for a walk with my wife every evening,” said Mehboob Kyani, a Pakistani expat who has been living in the area since 2011.
Well-lit
The walking and cycling track is lined with 1,170 trees and lit with energy-efficient lighting.
Mohammad Abbas, a contractor from Somalia and an avid runner, said the only disadvantage of living in this area was lack of a running track. “I had to run on dusty streets in the inner roads. But now that problem is solved. I am really enjoying my daily one hour run,” he said.
Deevakar Nakshathram, an engineer from India, said he has been using the track from the very day it opened.
“It is such a blessing for the residents. During weekends, there are families taking a stroll, kids cycling and people running. It feels like community living,” said Nakshathram.
More coming
Abu Dhabi is planning to build more than 80 kilometres of cycling and walking paths and construction is progressing in many areas.
The plan involves extending cycling tracks on Shaikh Zayed Street by 7,624 metres, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street by 6,650 metres, Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street by 6,700 metres, and adding a 2,320-metre track to Al Nahyan Festivities Yard.
Construction of the nearly 8 km walking track at Khalifa City is 60 per cent complete. The Shakhbout City walking path, about 18.84 km, is 50 per cent complete.
Top tips for cyclists
BUY THE RIGHT BIKE
Bikes aren’t one-size-fitsall, and designs can vary significantly. Ensuring your bike ‘fits’ you correctly will not only affect performance, but will play a big role in your comfort and avoiding injuries.
RIDING INTERVALS
Time constraints often affect training, and it can be tough to make gains in the face of a busy schedule. Intervals [which means alternating stints of high and low-intensity effort in one workout] help solve this problem, and often produce breakthroughs when your training has felt stale for a while.
SET SOME GOALS
You don’t have to start big with your goals, but having set targets to aim for will help keep you motivated, enable you to monitor your progress.
YOUSPEAK: What’s stopping you from achieving your health and fitness goals?
