Gear up for the ride of a lifetime with Dubai Fitness Challenge 2020

• 4km family fun ride open to participants as young as five years; 14km general route for cycling enthusiasts 13 years or older
• Registration still open on dubairide.com

Dubai: Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) 2020 is set to welcome residents and visitors for the first-of-its-kind cycling event this Friday, 20 November, as Dubai Ride sees a section of the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Road turn into a cycling track. The non-competitive, free-to-enter, community event will see participants set off on a once-in-a-lifetime bike ride along two distinct routes - with the longer route including the city’s main artery, passing a number of the city’s iconic buildings.

A 4km family-friendly, fun ride is open to participants as young as five years old. An extended, 14km open ride is designed to motivate cycling enthusiasts aged 13 years or older to take on an exciting new challenge. Participants can cycle at their own pace, and register for either of the two routes at their nominated check-in time. People of determination are welcome to participate in either route and should email ambassadors@linkviva.com to arrange their entry.

The 4km Family Route will commence close to The Dubai Mall Cinema Parking entrance, taking riders around Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai. Participants will  mark a full circle around Souk Al Bahar, The Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa, before finally heading back to the finishing point.

The 14km Sheikh Zayed Road Route will take participants along a loop of the main highway, between Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Safa Park. For the first time in history, both directions of the highway will be open for cyclists only. Participants will receive their allocated starting point based on their allotted check-in time.

Commenting on the event, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: “Driven by the visionary ambition of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate is focused on creating urban environments that enable active travel, developing dedicated infrastructure to promote cycling and sustaining a collective culture where more and more people want to cycle for leisure, health and everyday travel. Dubai Fitness Challenge, as the city’s foremost fitness initiative, takes this ambition one step further with the first-ever Dubai Ride. The event sets out to develop long-term behaviour change, improve the health of the nation, and ensure people are regularly active.”

Inviting the city to mark a new milestone in their fitness journey, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), commented: “Fuelled by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate is well on its way to adopting the global best practices, and safety and security measures required to develop a bicycle-friendly infrastructure. Dubai Ride 2020 marks a significant step towards achieving this milestone, celebrating the increasingly important role of cycling in fostering a positive community culture, promoting environmental sustainability, and further enhancing the health of the nation. We encourage everyone to join us and share the joy, fun and freedom that cycling offers. Whatever your age and however you choose to move, even a short ride can make a big difference.”

Encouraging an all-inclusive participation for Dubai Ride, Daniel Van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer, DP World added: “We are delighted to support the Dubai Ride and help promote cycling in the UAE. Not only is cycling an environmentally friendly way to get around our beautiful city, but it also contributes to a healthier lifestyle for people of all ages. We are particularly excited about the introduction of a shorter course, which is designed for younger children, families and people of determination. This addition to Dubai Ride is another great example of how we are all striving to create a society that is not only active, but fully inclusive.”

Speed limits will be set throughout the stretch to ensure public health and safety, closely monitored by race marshals. These will also ensure social distancing guidelines are strictly being followed between cyclists. No backpacks will be allowed on the cycling routes. Water stations will be available at regular intervals along both routes, thanks to Mai Dubai.

It’s important to plan ahead for this historic event. All cyclists must be able to competently cycle a minimum distance of 4km, bring their own bike and helmet, and wear a face mask. Every rider must register to participate in the ride at www.dubairide.com and receive confirmation to take part on the exclusive circuits.

Participants must collect their riding bibs at Dubai World Trade Centre, Zabeel Hall 3 on Wednesday, 18 November and Thursday, 19 November, from 3pm to 11pm. A copy of their email confirmation is essential for bib collection.

On event day, free parking will be available throughout the area. Participants will be sent details on their  allocated parking area prior to the event, based on their allotted check-in times. Bikes must be mounted to the back of, or inside your car - ensuring no mounts are placed at the top of the vehicle, to be able to access the car parks. Special parking areas have been allocated for People of Determination at the Swissôtel Al Murooj, Downtown Dubai. Participants who would like to cycle to the event may check-in at the Coca Cola Arena Parking 5 (no parking is available at this location).

Dubai Ride is organised by Dubai Tourism and Dubai Sports Council; with presenting partner DP World; association partners Emirates NBD, Etisalat and Mai Dubai; official partners Arabian Radio Network (ARN), Daman, EMAAR, Shield ME and Talabat; and government partners Event Security Committee, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai Police, Ministry of Education, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

Visit www.dubairide.com  for more details and to register.

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For further information, please contact: Dubai Tourism on mediarelations@dubaitourism.ae  or Edelman on dfcteam@edelman.com. 

For more information, see:
Facebook:       www.facebook.com/dubaifitnesschallenge
Instagram:       @dubaifitnesschallenge
Twitter:            @dxbfitchallenge
Hashtag:         #Dubai30x30

About Dubai Fitness Challenge

The Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) is an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. DFC has been created to motivate the people of Dubai to adopt an active and healthier lifestyle, and commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. Running from October 30 to November 28, 2020, DFC encompasses all forms of activity, in an action-packed calendar of virtual and physical sessions, to make fitness accessible and easy for all. This year’s programme will have the highest standards of safety precautions and social distancing measures in place to ensure Dubai’s residents and visitors can stay connected and safe.

© Press Release 2020