Campaign reignites passion for cycling

Egyptian resident Alaa El Deen Sadeq took up The National's challenge and got on his bike.

The National’s Editor-in-Chief Mohammed Al Otaiba talks to Alaa El Deen Sadeq. Silvia Razgova / The National

ABU DHABI // The ride to work rekindled Egyptian Alaa El Deen Sadeq’s love for cycling after a five-year break.

Mr Sadeq, 55, arrived at Khalifa Park at 6.30am to set off on his #cycletoworkuae trip, which lasted three-and-a-half hours, on a borrowed bike.

The head of the translation department at Jernas Solutions, an IT company in Abu Dhabi, he first rode a bike at the age of nine and on Tuesday said any nerves he had about riding on the capital’s roads soon vanished.

“After riding the bike I feel more active and energetic, and I am going to buy a cycle tonight,” Mr Sadeq said.

“When I went out of the park to buy some snacks from a grocery and had a real experience of the road, I was worried by the heavy traffic.

“I felt unsafe without a proper cycle track. It’s very dangerous to ride on road. But I found motorists slowed or stopped when they saw me crossing the road.”

Drivers and riders needed to be more aware of each other on the roads, he said.

Mr Sadeq bought a bicycle in Abu Dhabi five years ago and loved using it every evening, but he quit because there were few proper cycling tracks.

He said residents could incorporate shorter rides into their daily routine, which could lead to greater distances.

“Cycles could be best used five times a day when people go to prayer to mosques, and for groceries and to meet friends and relatives who live in the neighbourhood,” Mr Sadeq said. “There should be cycle stands around the mosques, too.”

He said school competitions should be organised, from which students, parents and teachers could benefit, and suggested prizes for winning pupils and consolation awards for others.

Mr Sadeq met and congratulated Mohammed Al Otaiba, Editor-In-Chief of The National, who led by example by riding his bicycle to the park and encouraged people to work for an energetic and healthy life.

“The National has inspired me to start cycling again and it should continue this drive,” Mr Sadeq said.