Text: Elena Grunitz TO ALL LOVERS OF TRAFFIC IN FRESH AIR, AND ALSO WISHING TO CHANGE ANYTHING SOFA ON SHOES, WE OFFER A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE MOST POPULAR RUNNING AND BIKE ROLLERWAYS.
Run
Downtown, Burj Park and Boulevard
Great places for lovers to see others and to show themselves. Oddly enough, running around one of the most popular attractions in Dubai, Bourges Khalifa, and avoiding the Dubai Mall, you will not find crowds.
On the wide sidewalks of the Boulevard and around the lawn at the foot of the giant skyscraper, downtown athletes wind up their kilometers: in the morning, enjoying the freshness of an awakening city, and in the evening - admiring the fountains and the unique game of the lights of the metropolis. A similar atmosphere, filled with futuristic landscapes and staring tourists, lovers of footing can find after a run through the Dubai Marina Walk.
The beach. Jbr
The quality and landscape is not inferior to the treadmill of Jumeirah. For those for whom running too long may seem monotonous, simulators are installed along the track. And numerous cafes and restaurants on the part of the JBR create an atmosphere of cosmopolitan chic. But you shouldn’t run there in the evenings, you can get stuck in traffic between countless walking tourists and JBR residents.
Parks
In almost all parks in Dubai there is the opportunity to go jogging. The most popular are Zabeel Park (2 km of track), Creek Park (about 4 km of track) and Safa Park (3.5 km). The latter, due to ongoing construction of a new canal, has been rummaged and blocked. A positive factor in favor of parks is free parking, especially on weekdays, as well as the presence of shade, which is important in the local hot climate.
In densely populated areas, such as Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, The Greens, Al Barsha and others, there are small parks and tracks that are not very long and hidden between the skyscrapers, but still loved and gratefully used by local residents.
Desert
The best place for athletes who love exoticism, and in the hot season and extreme sports, can not be found. Of course, you can run along the dunes, the benefit of the deserts around Dubai is enough. But it’s best to start training near The Sevens Stadium (Al Ain Road), where a special 10 km long track is equipped and where the famous Dubai Desert Run is held several times a year.
Bicycle
Nad Al Sheba Cycle Path (Meydan District)
The idea to turn an abandoned camel training track into a bike park came up with the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum several years ago. The result - three circular tracks with a length of 4, 6 and 8 kilometers, as well as a children's bicycle area with traffic signs, roundabouts and intersections - everything is like in a real city, only in miniature. In the evenings, all tracks are lit with lanterns, there are toilets and air-conditioned locker rooms. Sometimes professional cycling teams train there.
Videos
The traditional place for roller skating is the Zabeel and Creek parks, but only for those who know how to slow down, because there are many slopes. And because of the people walking there it’s impossible to turn around. A backup option is to ride outside these parks. Some try to ride in Mushrif Park, but the tracks there, unfortunately, are old and not of very good quality.
Local movie buffs shared a little secret - they ride in the Nad Al Sheba bike park. The track there is wide and with one-way traffic, so that there is enough space for everyone - both cyclists and skaters.
Al Qudra Cycle Path
District Arabian Ranches. Two newest circular tracks in the desert. The first 18-kilometer track runs along Al Qudra Road and merges with the second track, 50 km long. Undoubtedly, a real pleasure for lovers of long distances!
The second track, distinguished by the special beauty of the desert landscapes extending on both sides, leads past the famous Bab Al Shams hotel, which organizes the so-called Bab Al Shams Coffee Ride every Saturday - stopping there for a break you can have coffee and a snack for a nominal fee.
Dubai autodrome
Motorcity District. Every Wednesday evening, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Dubai Autodrome opens for cyclists. Admission is free, the only condition is to wear a protective helmet. Then saddle the bike and wind 2.5 km circles.
Al Barsha Park and Mushrif Park
The only parks offering bike paths that are especially suitable for families with children are not very long (1.5 km Al Barsha and 4 km Mushrif), with children's playgrounds in case little cyclists suddenly get tired of pedaling.
Jumeirah open beach track
Jumeirah District 1. One and a half kilometers is, of course, a children's distance, but in the fresh air by the sea! Since the long treadmills of Jumeirah Beach and Beach JBR are prohibited for bicycles and skaters, this is so far the only opportunity to ride near the sea in Dubai.
BTW!
The Dubai Health Department is launching a campaign to stimulate healthy lifestyle residents.
Residents of Dubai who lead a healthy lifestyle will receive free gym memberships, movie tickets, subscriptions to periodicals writing about healthy lifestyles, or purchase vouchers from the Dubai Health Department as prizes.
The reward system, launched in partnership with the private sector, will be linked to the compulsory health insurance system. The campaign is scheduled to start in March 2016. Such a change in the way of life of people, which has proven itself in a number of countries, will be applied in the UAE for the first time.
The details of the campaign are not yet known, however, the Department said that they would use mobile devices capable of transmitting points about user activity to the network of the gym participating in the program for scoring.
