Qatar wheels out bicycles on rent
Residents in Qatar are showing great interest in the newly-launched bicycle rental service, Gulf Times has learnt.
Qatar became the first country in the Middle East to offer residents cycle rentals on Friday, after the service, Q Bike, was officially inaugurated by senior officials led by HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani.
Following the launch, the first rental station (or rank) became operational on Saturday.
“We registered a total of 80 people on the opening day. There were people wanting to utilise the service up until the closing time,” an official said.
The first bicycle rental rank is located at the Sheraton Park, officially called Al Dafna Park, where 10 bicycles are available each day from 3pm to 8pm.
“When service resumed today, there were people waiting at the rank. We believe it (service) is attracting strong response,” the official said.
Although, at one point the whole country is aimed to be connected through a network of bicycle rental ranks, providing rides not just for leisure but for commuting purposes, for now the opened rank serves about 2km area.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=414503...
I don't think there will be more than 10 people looking to commit suicide here
"The first bicycle rental "rank" is located at the Sheraton Park, where 10 bicycles are available each day from 3pm to 8pm"
WOW!! 10 bikes for a city with more than 800,000...Smart...
I would think they should've saved the money paid on advertising signs to buy more bikes maybe??
and If you like to bike in the morning...you're out of luck...
Yup, it's a death wise to ride a bicycle here
Be carefull all cycle riders, even if you are waiting for signal Speeding vehicles will drag you on to the road, as if they are doing drag race
They can offer/render "Bicycle for Rent Services" but are they ready for that. The following need to be considered when riding bicycle in Qatar:
1. Most/some of the roads have no emergency lane (paved road shoulder) which can be used by the cyclist. In Corniche if you notice like inside round about there is no emergency lane while in other stretch they used the emergency lane as parking lot.
2. Apparently I can't find anywhere in Qatar any designated/bicycle lane.
3. I noticed even with stiff penalties for traffic violators, some "white" fast landcruisers still overtaking by utilising Emergency Lane.
If you enjoy cycling as a hobby whether road bike or MTB you can surf this link for Organised Event: http://qatarchainreaction.org/
Offroad MTB apparently is the most safest cycling activities in Qatar where you can ride offroad without dealing with Road Rager.
anybody know, how much is the rent ?
That is NOT true ... all, including Bachelors, are allowed to rent/use the bike.
Qatar copies every trend it spots in the world, no matter how suitable or prepared they are to implement it.
It’s a "if they have it and it’s cool and popular, we want it too" approach!
PS. Besides the bicycles they are also thinking to get a top class “national” football team by 2022.
A guy in the front seat and a gal in the rear seat.
Guy pedals in the front and the Gal throws Rose Petals from the back on the guy....:)
Perhaps you're right.. I'll ask Snessy instead ...
A guy in the rear seat? And what does he see, Rizks? And you don't call this display of affection in public? Wake up, buddy.
a Guy !
It would be too Rizky to have him behind you :o(
Anyway, by sitting at the back, I can get him to pedal..
Who sits in the front, Rizks?
sharing Tandem with opposite genders is not Haram....:(
Tandems would be 'haram'. It's like displaying affection in public, brit.
Only 10 bicycles available ?
I wonder if they have Tandems - then Rizks and I could share :O)
Not the first country in the middle east. You could rent a bike DECADES ago up north.
And the police is probably already waiting somewhere to issue tickets for violating the traffic rules. Haha, a clever way to generate money.
LP... I just heard someone saying, if you call an ambulance they also ask you is it family or bachelor LOL
"When service resumed today, there were people waiting at the rank. We believe it (service) is attracting strong response" HUGE response.... around 80 people out of 2 million were waiting for there turn :D
Rizks, bachelors are supposed to walk and be run over by a speeding Land Cruiser.
agree with baldrick !
No Cycling
No BBQ'ing and No Fishing...:(
As soon as you leave the rental station there are signs saying "No Cycling". Go figure!
LP...:(
Wat will the poor Bachelors ride ? :(
Why this discrimination always...? why o why ? :(
Rizks, only for families! Bachelors can't have a bike.
can we ride these bicycles elsewhere apart from the Corniche area ? or its just to ride in the designated areas ?
It's close to suicide to ride a bicycle in Doha.