DUBAI // Two former motorbikers who swapped horsepower for pedal power have helped to foster a growing community of cyclists in the emirate.
Sam Sayadan, 39, from Iran, and Emirati Khalid Al Zarooni, 44, set up the Cycle Hub in Motor City five years ago.
“Our preferred form of transport used to be motorbikes and we used to ride together,” said Mr Sayadan.
“Then, one day Khalid, suggested we should give cycling a go after a mutual friend mentioned it would be healthier. We’ve always been into two wheels so it wasn’t much of a challenge to swap enginess for pedals.”
The friends, both novices to cycling, initially bought off-road mountain bikes.
“Off-road seemed the safer option to us at the beginning because we weren’t as confident to cycle on the roads and we also cycled at Dubai Autodrome,” said Mr Sayadan. As their knowledge of the sport developed, they realised how important the type and size of a bicycle is for a rider.
The pair contacted bike makers Specialized and Pinarello and set up a shop providing advice to like-minded novices.
“Our thinking with the Cycle Hub was for it to be shelter for cyclists in Dubai and it’s really amazing how it’s grown and developed over the years,” said Mr Sayadan.
The Cycle Hub not only sells bikes but also offers training plans for beginners as well as organising weekly group rides.
“A restaurant was added because we wanted a place where cyclists could have food that is gluten and sugar-free as well as healthy.
“We’re lucky in this country because the leaders in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are cyclists and they are keen to promote its health benefits,” said Mr Sayadan.
“We’re also seeing more developers take cycle paths into account in their designs for communities. That will really help to make cycling a regular part of society.”
Co-founder Khalid Al Zarooni described cycling as a “treasure” they wanted to share.
“When we started, although there were places for experienced cyclists there wasn’t really that much available for beginners and so we have tried to rectify that and encourage more to take up the hobby.”
Although urban cycling levels are not as high in Dubai or Abu Dhabi as compared to other major cities in the world, this is beginning to change.
“The government has done a lot of work to create tracks for cycling as a sport but now we are beginning to see developers as well as the RTA look at linking communities together with safe cycle tracks for residents,” said Mr Al Zarooni.
“Cycling really is a wonderful hobby and as it becomes easier and safer to cycle between communities hopefully more people will be encouraged to take it up, he said.”
For more details about the Cycle Hub, visit thecyclehub.com.
nhanif@thenational.ae