A plea for safer cycling in Qatar

I'm a regular cyclist in Qatar – in fact I cycle to work every day and cycle for pleasure on the weekends. Qatar is wonderful for cycling because it is flat and most of the roads are in good condition.

However, the danger of cycling on Qatar's roads, with drivers who are not cycle aware, puts the majority of cyclists off riding at any other time than a Friday morning.

Cycling really should be encouraged as a way of improving health, cutting carbon emissions, reducing traffic congestion and encouraging young people to build fitness into their daily routine, helping to fight obesity and diabetes.

Having had a few scary moments myself, I make a plea to both drivers and cyclists alike to help improve their safety on the roads....

To drivers....

Please consider cyclists as vehicles – don't underestimate our speed, and don't assume we can stop. Good cyclists travel at 25 – 35kmph

Please give as much space as you can when us cyclists are on the road beside you.

Please don't squeeze us, especially around corners

Please don't drive close to us at speed – the draft of a speeding vehicle can knock us off

Please keep your eyes on the road – don't text, don't read a book, don't put on your make up while driving

Please don't go through red lights, or drive through pedestrian crossings as if they are not there

Please use your lights after dark – pretty obvious but many forget

Please signal before you turn or take a slip road – cyclists are not mind readers

Please don't overtake and then immediately pull in or cut across a cyclist. Wait! ....and pull in behind them.

Please look and check before you pull out, or open your door into the road

Please don't let your pride or ego kill a cyclist. We have a right to be on the road too

And to cyclists.....

Please put bright front and rear lights on your bike

Please wear a helmet, and a high visibility jacket or vest at night

Please make yourself appear as large and visible as possible on the road

Please don't run red lights or cycle the wrong way up a one way street

Please adhere to the rules of the road. You are a vehicle on the road like any other.

Please use clear hand signals when turning or changing lanes

Please be aware of parked vehicles beside the road that may open their door or pull out – don't assume they've seen you

Please ride confidently but be cautious too. Try to gain eye contact with drivers and make sure you are seen

Please never drive close alongside a large vehicle such as a bus, coach or truck. And if you are at traffic lights, make your way right to the front if you can, or wait behind large vehicles.

Please appreciate drivers who make way for you (I wave and give thumbs up)

And general improvements on the roads.....

Please build more cycle lanes in and around the town – why not start with the corniche?
Please impose stiffer penalties on all drivers who violate traffic laws such as speeding and going through red lights

You can read more about my cycling adventures in my blog, including my recent ride to Al Khor during Eid:

http://deardohadiary.blogspot.qa/2016/09/qatar-cycling-adventures-night-under.html

Cover Image: Sanjiban Ghosh (QL FLickr Group)