Why Abu Dhabi is Declared as a Bike City by the UCI

Based in Aigle, Switzerland, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for sports cycling declared Abu Dhabi, a ‘Bike City.’  Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed received the eminent “Bike City” title from the UCI and announced a couple of future plans for the Emirate.

Abu Dhabi – UCI Bike City

109 km Loop and Velodrome

Even though it just received the ‘Bike City’ label, the Emirate has been adhering to the UCI’s cycling for All Strategy for a long time now. It has hosted world-class cycling events and has great infrastructure for amateur as well as professional events.

To take it to the next level, the Emirate announced that a new 109km Abu Dhabi Loop will be constructed linking the attractions around the city. 

Also, a new 12,000 sq.m Velodrome Hudayriyat with a capacity of 3,500 is on the plan which would offer track racing facilities to the residents. The proposed plans would increase the existing 300 km cycling network to more than 1,000 km.

Bike Abu Dhabi, launched during the occasion will be overseeing the cycling infrastructure projects and would promote cycling as mobility, health and leisure, and sport option. 

Cycling Competitions

New cycling competitions were also announced during the event.

The Abu Dhabi Al Ain Classic – a one-day cycle race that would be open to the UAE clubs and amateurs as well. The race will start in Abu Dhabi and finish in Al Ain.

The Emirate will be hosting the 2022 and 2024 editions of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships. Also, it is named as the host for the 2028 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.