Will you swap your regular four wheels for two, don a cycle helmet and join us for The National’s second #cycletoworkUAE on Tuesday, January 12?
This year an estimated 1,500 readers took part in the first #cycletoworkUAE event and, in doing so, made a positive statement about their desire to live in communities that are healthier, safer and more environmentally friendly.
The benefits of doing so are proven. A recent study in the American Journal of Public Health showed that for every hour we walk or cycle, we add more than an hour to our expected healthy lifetimes, and there is a direct correlation between higher rates of walking and cycling and lower rates of obesity.
In cities and countries where walking and cycling are most popular, not just for leisure but also as practical means of transport, rates of obesity are at their lowest. But in countries where car use predominates, obesity reaches record levels.
Mohammed Al Otaiba, Editor-in-Chief of The National, hoped the number taking up the challenge would be even more this year.
“We’re building on last year’s success and are looking forward to seeing a larger participation with more people taking to the road on bicycles, and from across the UAE,” Mr Al Otaiba said.
“People find enjoyment in an activity that is fun, healthy and clean, and particularly during the cooler months of the year.
“There are still challenges to tackle. There’s a lack of adequate cycling lanes in an environment that isn’t fully accustomed to seeing bicycles share public roads, but changing attitudes begins with small steps.
“It’s an exciting time to be living in the UAE and be a part of its transformation.”
Can joining together to cycle to work really make a difference? Statistics from cities across the globe show the answer is a resounding “yes”.
Even in traditional cycling cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam, Malmo and Copenhagen, the number of cycle journeys taken has increased rapidly.
And even in the cities of North America the number of journeys made using bicycles has rocketed. Portland and Minneapolis had a five and fourfold rise in bicycle journeys between 1990 and 2008, despite being among the wettest, coldest US cities.
All of these cities changed because of demands made by cycling residents and commitments by their municipalities.
Admittedly, the UAE still has a long way to go before it can match the integrated networks that define so many cycle-friendly cities of Europe.
But there is power and safety in numbers. The more cyclists there are, the more drivers will take notice of them.
So join in The National's second #cycletoworkUAE day in 30 days and help us to make a difference.
We’ll all feel better for it.
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
Company%20profile
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million