Dubai Ride was needed after Covid-19, say residents

Sheikh Zayed Road was closed on Friday morning to make way for more than 30,000 cyclists.
The Dubai Ride took place for the second time, with riders of all abilities taking to the 14-lane motorway.

The community event, sponsored by DP World, allowed cyclists to choose from two distinct routes depending on their ability and capacity to complete the ride.

Beginners to seasoned cyclists aged 10 and above rode the 14km route from five different start gates along Sheikh Zayed Road and Lower Financial Centre Road. The route passed some of the city's most prominent landmarks, including the Museum of the Future, Dubai Canal, Downtown Dubai and Emirates Towers.

A second 4km route for families, with cyclists as young as five on their own bikes, and even younger children travelling safely with their parents, looped around Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard with magnificent views of Burj Khalifa, lit especially for the occasion, courtesy of Emaar.

Dressed in red and black, one of the most visible cycling groups at the Dubai Ride was DXB Riders, which comprised over 100 people – including men, women, and children.

While last year most of them volunteered to be road marshalls at the Dubai Ride, this year they decided to display their talent, strength and passion for the sport (cycling) and came out in large numbers wearing red and black T-shirts with their motto 'We Ride Together' written on it.

Many youngsters - from different nationalities – said they were super excited for the ride as this marked a sense of normalcy in life after the Covid pandemic.