Summer is here in the UAE, and the temperatures are rising. However, some residents are still keen on cycling to work – citing practicality and the health benefits biking brings, not to mention their contribution to reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
Dubai resident Mohsin Hasam Palija, 35, who works as a yacht captain, told Khaleej Times he has been saving at least Dh700 monthly for the past year by not taking a taxi and instead using a bike for his daily commute to work and home.
The Indian expat lives about 8km away from his workplace. “Previously, I used to pay around Dh18 to hail a taxi from home to work, and my budget was around Dh700 monthly. But, ever since I subscribed to a bike-sharing app, my transportation expense dropped to Dh420 only for one year.”
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Palija prefers renting a bike over owning one “because there’s no maintenance cost, and I don’t have to worry about parking.”
“Docking stations for bikes are well-placed in my neighbourhood and work area. I paid for unlimited use for a year, and whenever I need a bike, I open the app and grab one,” he added.
‘Control of own time’
Another Dubai resident, Muhammad Naveed, 31, said he finds it more convenient to use bikes than the public buses. He said: “I work in sales and go around Jumeirah Lake Towers daily for work. I used to take the bus but had to be mindful of the route schedule. When I switched to using bikes, I had more control of my own time.”
The Pakistani expat has been pedalling to work for more than a year and he has been saving about Dh300 monthly for using a cheaper mode of transport.
“I see a lot of residents in JLT who also pedal to work. It’s really convenient because we’re not caught in traffic congestion, and just imagine our contribution in reducing carbon emission because we’ve ditched cars for bikes,” he added.
Naveed’s contribution in protecting the environment is quantified by a recent study by European Cycle Federation that says “a commuter who switches from car to bike for an 8km commute saves 750kg of carbon emissions annually.
‘I feel healthier now’
Naveed added the biggest motivation for him to continue biking is maintaining a healthy body. He said: “My doctor has noticed a big improvement in my vitals when I switched to biking to work. I not only save money but I’m healthier now,” he added.
Dr. Mohamad Awad, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Dr. Rami Hamed Centre, said “biking to work is an excellent form of exercise as it gets the heart pumping and muscles working. It can also help in weight loss. A person who switches to riding on two wheels instead of four in a car can lose several pounds in a year.”
“Biking is also recommended for overweight persons as it reduces the pressure on the foot,” he added, noting: “Regular physical activities, such as cycling, reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.”
Summer not a problem
Palija and Naveed said the summer heat is not a problem for them to continue biking to work. They usually go to work early morning, when the sun is not at its peak, and go back home late afternoon.
“Cycling for 10–15 minutes is quite manageable,” they added, as they also ensure they keep their bodies hydrated and they wear only comfortable and light-coloured clothes.
“Biking to work – when it’s only a short distance – is faster than driving or using public transportation. Bicycles offer better manoeuvrability as we bypass traffic and we can arrive at our destination on time,” they added.
App used more for work than leisure
On another note, Careem said their bike-sharing app is more popular among residents who use it for work rather than leisure.
Seven out 10, or 71 per cent use Careem Bike for work, while only 29 per cent use it for leisure. The most active bike-to-work user was a female resident who has completed a total of 1,847 Careem Bike trips to work from January 2023 to May 2024.
“Careem Bike has been a fan favourite among Dubai residents and tourists for years, offering a fun way to explore the city and a practical transportation option for daily commutes,” said Sami Amin, senior director of operations at Careem, adding: “We’re thrilled to see a significant segment of our user base choosing our service for their work travel. Careem was launched to simplify life in the region, and we’re proud to offer our customers a simple, affordable, and sustainable transportation option for their daily commutes.”
The most popular docking stations for those using Careem Bike for work are JLT, Marina, Mankhool, and Dubai Media City; while the most popular docking stations for those using it for leisure are Jumeirah, Dubai Water Canal, Al Khawaneej, and Al Mamzar.
Last year, Careem Bike users displaced a total of 1.29 million tons of carbon emissions – the equivalent of removing 361 cars off the road in a single year.
Building a bicycle-friendly city
Meanwhile, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced last month the construction of new multi-use tracks for bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians that will link Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street, with two bridges crossing Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
The multi-use track measures 13.5 km in length and 4.5 metres in width that will serves the neighbourhoods in Al Barsha and Al Barsha Heights.
Dubai has a masterplan to build a bicycle-friendly city by extending the total length of the current cycling track network from 544km to 1,000 km by 2030. Key coastal areas, such as Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, and Marina are set to be connected to the external tracks in Al Qudra, Saih Al Salam, and Nad Al Sheba via Al Barsha, Dubai Hills, and Nad Al Sheba districts.