How Abu Dhabi Pedaled Its Way to Becoming a Global Cycling Hotspot

When you think of cycling holidays, images of pedaling through the French countryside with a baguette tied to your bike or leisurely rides along the easygoing paths of Copenhagen or Amsterdam often come to mind.

But cycling vacations rarely feature the sweltering Arabian desert, where intense summer heat and midday sun can make the roads hot enough to pop bike tires.

However, that could soon change.

Abu Dhabi is witnessing the rise of a cycling revolution, fueled by massive investments that are getting both locals and tourists to hop onto bikes for one-of-a-kind cycling experiences found nowhere else in the world.

Last year, Abu Dhabi was awarded the title of 'Bike City' by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), making it the first city in the Middle East and Asia to receive this prestigious honor. With its extreme temperatures, it could very well be the world’s hottest cycling city.

At first glance, Abu Dhabi’s cycling credentials might not stand out. The city, built on oil wealth, is dominated by cars. Gas is cheap, roads are wide, and speed limits – outside the urban areas – are designed for speed.

However, a closer look reveals a different picture. In recent years, Abu Dhabi has built miles of dedicated bike lanes alongside new highways, positioning itself as the UAE’s hub for cycling. It’s not only hosting international races but also fostering local talent.

In the process, Abu Dhabi has created some thrilling cycling experiences that, combined with its wide range of other attractions, could become a top destination for cycling enthusiasts or anyone looking for an adventure off the beaten path.

Off-Peak Rides

Riding in Abu Dhabi can mean adjusting to unconventional hours. During the cooler months, the climate is perfect for long rides. However, from May to September, when temperatures can soar to 48°C (118°F), the best time to cycle is either early morning or late evening.

This is why friends Andy Coleman and Dan Baltrusaitis can be seen gearing up in a parking lot at Al Hudayriyat shortly after 6 a.m. on a Saturday. Located on an island south of the city, Al Hudayriyat is home to beach resorts and a specially designed cycling track.

“I can’t quite explain why I do it,” chuckles Coleman, as the duo pedals off onto the smooth tarmac to begin their ride.

Despite the early hour, they’re not alone. Dozens of cyclists are zipping around the network of circuits, which vary from three to 10 kilometers and feature an exciting over-water track. The route is generally flat, but strong onshore headwinds add an extra layer of difficulty.

“It’s a fantastic experience,” says Ricky Bautista, one of a group of cyclists in matching uniforms who have been zooming around the track since the first light of dawn. Bautista’s team works at a bike shop in Dubai and has crossed the border to take advantage of the free Al Hudayriyat facilities.

“I’m just starting out, but all my colleagues are seasoned cyclists and encouraged me to give it a try,” he says. “Today’s ride is tough because of the wind, but once you turn a corner and catch the tailwind, it feels like you’re flying, and that makes it all worth it.”

Other cycling clubs are also out, chasing each other’s pace on the track. Men and women of all ages zoom past the distant skyscrapers of the city’s financial district. Some cyclists arrive by car, while others cycle from home. There’s even a bike bus.

Healthy lifestyle

Also in close proximity is the sleek new pavilion of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, an open membership organization that organizes both public and competitive cycling events across the emirate. It collaborates with the government to promote cycling, boost participation, and attract investment.

The main aim is to encourage as many locals as possible to embrace cycling as a part of a healthy lifestyle, while also attracting tourists. “One of our primary goals is to bring in more tourists and promote cycling vacations in Abu Dhabi,” says Al Nukhaira Allkhyeli, Executive Director of ADCC.

A passionate cyclist himself, Allkhyeli is often seen training around one of the standout features of Abu Dhabi's cycling scene – the Yas Marina Circuit. This Formula One racetrack is frequently opened to the public for cycling sessions during the morning and evening.

Visitors can sign up for a free session on the track, with complimentary helmets and a selection of well-maintained road and hybrid bikes. For those looking for a more luxurious ride, high-end bikes are available for rent at a nearby Wolfi’s branch. Changing rooms are provided, though there are no showers.

Even if you're not a Formula 1 enthusiast, cycling around the Marina circuit is an exhilarating experience, with massive grandstands towering on both sides of the seven-kilometer loop, and the occasional superyacht docked with a view of the track. The absence of cheering crowds still leaves an echo that resonates throughout the venue.

First-time riders may find themselves caught between the urge to race and the temptation to snap selfies as they cruise around the asphalt (while carefully avoiding any accidental detours into the pit lane).

The whole experience is both surreal and satisfying, blending the thrill of high-speed cycling with the iconic F1 atmosphere.

Abu Dhabi offers a variety of cycling experiences, ranging from more laid-back rides to intense, adrenaline-pumping adventures.

For those who prefer a leisurely ride, gentle bike rentals are available along the scenic Corniche waterfront, or through the shaded paths of Al Ain Oasis in Abu Dhabi’s second city. Guests staying at the luxurious Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in the Empty Quarter can also try fat-tire biking through the desert's sand dunes.

For those seeking a more challenging ride, the Jebel Hafit mountain is the place to go. Its brutal switchback road offers breathtaking views of the emirate, and a demanding climb that will leave your legs feeling like jelly.

Another standout cycling route is the Al Wathba track, a smooth, purpose-built path in the heart of the desert. This remote location promises one of the most surreal and rewarding cycling adventures in Abu Dhabi.

Located about an hour’s drive from downtown, the track’s entrance is surrounded by a cluster of buildings, including a shower and restroom facility, a small supermarket, and a bike shop that offers basic carbon racing bikes for rent by the hour.

While the track hosts regular races during the cooler months, it transforms into a unique cycling venue in the summer, with solar-powered lamps casting a soft glow across loops of up to 30 kilometers, stretching into the desert night as the sun sets.

Cycling alone on the track is a thrilling yet somewhat eerie experience. The stillness of the dunes and the darkness, interrupted only by the sparse electric lights, creates a quiet and somewhat unnerving atmosphere.

The only thing that might slow you down is the occasional drift of soft sand across the track. A blown light bulb here and there creates mini blackouts that challenge riders to keep their composure and not hit the brakes.

Year-round cycling

Cycling headfirst into the pitch-black expanse of a hot desert night could be a fitting symbol for Abu Dhabi’s ambitious, high-budget push into a sport that might seem out of place in its scorching climate.

However, Isabella Burczak, UCI’s advocacy and development manager, believes that Abu Dhabi is clearly on the right track, having shown a strong commitment and political will to grow cycling as a pastime, a means of transportation, and a competitive sport.

According to Burczak, the city’s Bike City status will inspire continued progress and foster knowledge-sharing with a network of 20 other Bike Cities, from Bergen in Norway to Wollongong in Australia.

And, if cyclists adjust their schedules by riding early or late, and employers offer shower facilities for sweaty commuters, the heat won’t pose a problem at all.

"Whether in hot or cold weather, I believe solutions can be found to ensure cycling remains accessible, no matter the reason," she tells Dinogo.

But can Abu Dhabi truly compete with the legendary cycling destinations like France, Italy, Denmark, and the Netherlands?

Thanks to the unyielding desert sun, Abu Dhabi already offers year-round cycling, says Aditya Bhiwandkar, a cycling enthusiast and sales assistant at Wolfi’s.

"In Europe, you’re dealing with snow and rain," he explains. "But here in Abu Dhabi, cycling is possible every single day of the year."