Adopting European ‘bike culture’ would boost cycling in UAE

Adopting a European-style “bike culture” is essential if cycling is to grow in popularity and become safer, say Emirati cyclists.

More people would be encouraged to start cycling if drivers and pedestrians, and even other cyclists, were more aware of road safety rules and basic etiquette, said Roudha Alawadi.

“When you go to Europe, for example, even in the places without cycling lanes it’s in the culture to give space to allow the cyclists to move,” said Ms Alawadi, a senior engineer who has been cycling regularly for the past year.

“Here, the cyclists just have to move out of the way and it’s just not safe. I’d like to see us adopt systems which have been proven to work elsewhere.”

Ms Alawadi, who helped establish the UAE Cycling Girls, a group that organises rides using the ByKy rental bikes around Downtown Dubai, said she would like to see the concept expanded to other areas.

“There is real demand for it, especially near to metro stations. You have to take taxis to stations usually but if we had this system, you’d see many people using it. Emiratis would certainly use it.”

Original article by Melanie Swan

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Adopting European ‘bike culture’ would boost cycling in UAE