VIDEO: Unprecedented step, Sheikh Zayed Road turns into cycling track

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Cyclists of all age group took over Sheikh Zayed Road on Friday morning to the call of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, to join the once-in-a-lifetime event, the Dubai Ride.   

Sheikh Hamdan was spotted leading the peloton.

The Sheikh Zayed Road, the arterial road of the UAE, for the first time in history, was closed to motorists and opened to cyclists.

Hundreds of riders, all in gears made history with a unique cycling experience along the magnificent road.

A 4km Family Route will take participants around Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai, while the 14km Sheikh Zayed Road Route will see both directions of the highway open for cyclists only for the first time in history.

Sheikh Hamdan rides on Sheikh Zayed Road as part of Dubai Ride.

The ride started at 4am and finished 8am.

Participants of all age groups, including people of determination were spotted at their own pace.

Organisers made it clear at the beginning, “All cyclists must be able to competently cycle a minimum distance of 4km, bring their own bike and helmet, and wear a face mask.”

In August, Sheikh Hamdan directed to transform Dubai into a bike-friendly city, by working to develop laws and the legislative system, and to apply international best practices in developing the infrastructure to suit the use of this sporty and environmentally safe method.

The announcement comes in line with the objectives of Dubai Vision 2021, which aims to strengthen Dubai's position as a preferred place to live and work, the preferred destination for visitors, and the safest, and to fulfill the Dubai Traffic Strategy 2021 to reduce the death rate resulting from traffic accidents, and in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aimed at reducing carbon emissions by 16% by 2021 and transforming Dubai into the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world.