Cyclists in the UAE have been urged to stick to road rules after a recent accident in Abu Dhabi.
A group of eight riders were hit by a car while travelling on the hard shoulder of a motorway last week.
Brig Gen Salem Al Dhaheri, the emirate's deputy traffic chief, warned cyclists of the dangers of flouting traffic rules.
Some riders in the group were not wearing high-visibility clothing. At least two were admitted to hospital after the crash on Yas Island around midnight on December 17.
Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, said many riders fail to abide by safety rules, which leads to accidents.
“Part of the problem is so many people are cycling at night in residential areas but are not wearing reflective clothing and they don’t have lights on their bikes,” Mr Edelmann said.
“Motorists are unable to see them until it’s too late to stop an accident.
“There is also an issue with workers like gardeners or delivery men who not only fail to wear protective equipment but also often travel directly into the path of oncoming traffic.”
There were 109 accidents involving cyclists in the past two years in Abu Dhabi, which is four per cent of the total road crashes during the period.
There have been renewed calls by campaigners and police officials to obey traffic rule and stay safe on the roads.
The basics
According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, cyclists must install a main headlight on their bicycles and a red rear light and reflector.
Riders must stay on the right side of the road. They are not permitted to cycle on footpaths.
Cyclists can use main roads as long as the speed limit is below 60kph.
Cyclists must also stay in single file, and they are not permitted to have more than one person on the bicycle unless it is equipped for that purpose.
Protective helmets must be worn at all times.
Riders must also have both hands on the handle bars at all times, unless signalling to turn.
They are not permitted to travel in a zigzag manner and are not allowed to use excessive speed or cycle in a manner that can endanger others.
Tips for cyclists
Road Safety UAE experts said riders should pedal defensively and always have control of their bicycle.
Bikes should be in good condition. Brakes, tyres and lights should be checked regularly.
Riders should be alert to motorists opening car doors or any possible obstacles and potholes. Cyclists should make eye-contact with motorists so they know drivers have seen them.
Cyclists have been warned against using mobile phones while riding. They must avoid busy roads and areas where bicycles are prohibited.
It is always advisable to ride in cycle-friendly areas that have designated lanes, such as Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, Al Qudra, Nad Al Sheba and Dubai Autodrome.
Road Safety UAE also recommended joining cycling groups to stay informed about biking throughout the Emirates.
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'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)
Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)
Huddersfield Town permanent signings:
- Steve Mounie (striker): signed from Montpellier for £11 million
- Tom Ince (winger): signed from Derby County for £7.7m
- Aaron Mooy (midfielder): signed from Manchester City for £7.7m
- Laurent Depoitre (striker): signed from Porto for £3.4m
- Scott Malone (defender): signed from Fulham for £3.3m
- Zanka (defender): signed from Copenhagen for £2.3m
- Elias Kachunga (winger): signed for Ingolstadt for £1.1m
- Danny WIlliams (midfielder): signed from Reading on a free transfer
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
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Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
