Cycling in Dubai #2

In the last episode, I used my inbuilt Tomtom to find my way to the Dubai frame, but in this episode I find out whether using Google is a help or a hindrance.
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[@shm5547]

23:26 I'm sure whatever they've got in the 'Happiness Lounge' would not be enough to make up for that appalling concrete and tarmac hellscape ride (well, when it wasn't just a walk!).

[@thomaselliot2257]

Pure entertainment, watching this on my TVscreen, walking/cycling with you in the centre of Dubai. Despite the distortion , the images from your camera(s) are so sharp that I feel I'm there .(never will be) ,with interesting commentary and a little history thrown in . Now I know what it feels like, to ride in a big city like Dubai, with the roads and shared walk/cycle ways. One thing you advise us not to do is to go fast, at the end, then you go like the clappers . Remember to take your own advice. rushing and impatience causes mistakes . Riding too fast means you can't process all the information that is required . Got to give yourself time. You were in a rush to be nice to be nice, at the end , to show us , I guess 🙂

[@smilerbob]

One thing I like to do when in another country is to use the first day to walk the local area and get a feel for the surroundings / landmarks and what places are listed on road signs. It can help when the Sat Nav fails and can aid the internal brain navigation into getting me back. Not sure I would be comfortable cycling in Dubai. While I would be grateful for the plentiful rest opportunities in dismounting it would simply be far to hot for me. I struggled with summer mornings here when I cycled so I know I wouldn’t cope there 🤣 Good little mini series this one Ashley and hope you will be continuing this with other places. Perhaps a visit to our Dutch neighbours to see how their infrastructure compares to what our Government are trying to move towards and how far we still have to go

[@ibs5080]

Maybe one day Ashley will make it to Vancouver. Could then also do a back to back comparison with the USA, both for driving and cycling. Well, the cycling isn't particularly different on both sides of the border, other than the variety of interesting routes in both countries. The driving, although very similar, has some subtle differences. Miles versus Kilometers & US gallons versus litres as examples. Then there's the whole border crossing experience. 🇨🇦🇺🇲

[@ibs5080]

Ah yes your cycling in Dubai series. Will watch this with interest re navigating your way around. Interesting to hear there is not a cycling mode and you had to rely on walking mode. Will see how this pans out. Shokran, Ibrahim

[@ToeJam161]

At least you got your daily walking steps in as well 🤣

[@thesweeney80]

This might be too late to be of any use to you Ash but some of the "GPS Speedometer" apps have mapping and routing functions which might be worth a try if Google maps won't give you cycle options.

[@ibs5080]

At around 19:36 where you were debating whether Primary position is understood over there. Rather fittingly, the very road you were on at the time had those so called "sharrows" painted on the road, to show the recommended road position for cyclists.

[@ibs5080]

You've reminded me that in my other homeland of greater Vancouver, there are many bridges and tunnels to get around. Although some of these have provision for cyclists and pedestrians, a few don't. In those cases, you actually have to catch a bus and put your bike on the front bike rack (Sidenote: These are virtually universal on buses over there & can accommodate several bikes, though I've never seen them on UK buses). In other instances, you have to catch a short ferry ride to get across a body of water. All part of the price to pay in being surrounded by beautiful mountains and ocean. In recent years, Vancouver has got a little better in that respect, where new bridges have replaced older ones but even that is not without it's hazards. We still have some way to go with all this, though in contrast, there are also some beautiful and wide cycle paths over there.

[@younggarethr]

Judging by a lot of the pavement width I don't think they are expecting many cyclists or pedestrians.

[@ibs5080]

At around 10:25 I notice that Dubai follows the UK convention for worded signage painted on the road when it's more than one word. In this case "Bus Stop". The words are written from top to bottom, versus the reverse in Canada & USA, namely, in the order you would traverse them.

[@grahambonner508]

"The infrastructure is not the best" that's not quite how I would describe it! I really don't think many of those pavements were shared. Pedestrians complying to crossing rules probably indicates that there is risk of significant fines for not doing so. Any country, UK included, any type of road, I'm looking both ways. No offence to you but my takeaway from your Dubai series is that I won't be going there.

[@ibs5080]

I have to say, for a country that is relatively newly "built" and awash with much ca$h, it doesn't look as though Dubai gave much thought at all to cycling infrastructure. It's rather disappointing actually.

[@BrownEyePinch]

Built for fancy cars, not exercise

[@ibs5080]

@@BrownEyePinch Evidently!

[@southwirralcyclist1986]

UAE's CO2 emissions per head is about 5 times that of those in the UK. They all drive cars. A lot.

[@ibs5080]

I was quite surprised at the relative absence of motorbikes and scooters over there. A UK major city would be swarming with them.

[@smilerbob]

Interesting to see the cyclist ride across the crossing at 11:12 but then dismount once in the pavement. I wonder if they reached their destination or if that was a no cycle pavement?

[@ibs5080]

At around 10:16, I find the markings for the pedestrian crossing rather weird. In the form of arrows that point in the opposite direction to the traffic flow no less!

[@grahamcollins6810]

Great video! But I always advise people to avoid the word "Cheers!" in the Middle East - many will still find it offensive because of the connotations of alcohol...(I know many who have lost business deals because of the accidental use of the word)

[@ibs5080]

At 12:40 I thought you were going to stop for a few swigs of water from those large water cooler bottles!

[@MonkeyBurrito]

So what's with the red stripes on the road? Any locals that know?

[@chillies4156]

Do you find drivers treat you better in Dubai than England?

[@AUaudits]

How do you have a camera facing you without a pole?

[@smilerbob]

Looks like it could be the 360 camera where it will “hide” the pole If you look at the shadow later in the video you will see all the mounts for it 👍

[@ibs5080]

Does Dubai actually have "Jaywalking" laws like North America or are folks just naturally respectful of the pedestrian signals?

[@ImranOO7]

I think you’re very respectful to others but I wonder how Jeremy Vine would cycle and his attitude play out in Dubai.

[@smilerbob]

Are people respectful of the red / green crossing signals because of harsh punishments and fines if caught?

[@ibs5080]

Haa, I asked virtually the exact same question! In fact, on my screen our two comments are directly one above the other. Great minds think alike?

[@trubass23]

What a dreadful example of city infrastructure. It's almost forcing cars upon you. Thank you for enduring that for us!

[@ibs5080]

Re the compulsory bike helmet wearing. Same in Greater Vancouver. If you get caught without it, not only do you get fined but if you also have a driver's license / car insurance you won't be able to renew either until the fine is paid. (Sidenote: Driver's licenses over there have to be renewed every five years. Insurance every year or less). Same principle for parking fines. Oh and over there, it's compulsory to carry photo ID whenever you are out in public.