History was made in Qatar when over 550 cyclists united to raise awareness for road safety in the country at the recent Ride of the Champions, Share the Road Campaign. The event was held at the Katara Cultural Village and this was also the first time that all the various cycling groups came together to promote one common goal, and it was clear that this prompted the record attendance.
This unity among the Qatar cycling groups started when Dondie Montiague, from the Filipino International Triathletes Qatar group, was out training on a hard shoulder at the National Day Ceremonial Road (which connects the Dukhan Highway to Shamal Road) when a bus pulled out in front of him, causing him to slam head-first into the vehicle. He suffered a severe spinal cord injury, and is currently still confined at Al Rumailah Hospital in the Rehabilitation Unit. Previously another club member also suffered a severe injury, and these incidents urged the cycling community to do something about safety on the roads between cyclist and motorists.
The event was supported by the Qatar Cycling Federation and with the 2016 UCI Road World Championships taking place in the country next year, it gave the federation and organizers of the event the opportunity to promote the championship and show their support for safe cycling in Qatar.
The three main objectives of this event were:
1. Promoting and advocating the Share the Road Campaign with the objectives of educating cyclists and motorists to share the road courteously and safely.
2. To promote the 2016 UCI Road World Championship which signifies the growing success in the growth of cycling as a sport in Qatar.
3. The unity amongst the different cycling groups in Qatar dedicated to the recovery of one of the cyclists and triathletes – Dondie Montiague.
When riders gathered the morning of the event they were each handed a high visibility vest to wear for the ride, which could also be used for future rides out on the roads. There were two route distances to choose from to ensure riders of all abilities and fitness levels were able to support the campaign.
The long route traversed a 96km route starting from Katara Cutural Village through the Pearl-Qatar and out towards the Losail Circuit. Riders then continued up until Tenbek in Al Khor and then headed back to Katara. This was also a part of the planned UCI Road World Championship route, which was fantastic for the riders to experience and get a taste of where the professional riders will be fighting their way to the podium next year. The short route, for riders looking for a more manageable route, covered 19km from Katara to the Pearl-Qatar and back.
The cycling groups that joined the event included the United Filipino Mountain Bikers Qatar, Pinoy Roadies Qatar, Qatar Chain Reaction, Sandstromers, VeloStars, SMCC and the Qatar Cyclists. The Tri Club Doha and FITQ (triathlete groups) also took part in the event.
All around the world cycling communities and cycling enthusiasts are promoting and spreading the word of safe cycling initiatives. It is great to see that this is also now being supported in Qatar! If we all stand together, obey the traffic rules and look out for each other, motorists and cyclists can share the road safely and responsibly.
Words by: Eulogy van Dyk
Photos by: Nhel Agra
