Bahrain’s cycling scene is gathering fresh momentum, with middle-aged residents increasingly taking to two wheels – a trend highlighted by trainers and enthusiasts as the kingdom marks World Bicycle Day today.
Bahraini cycling coach Sarah Alsammak said the sport’s growing appeal lies in its low-impact nature, making it well-suited to older individuals.
Medical experts note that cycling protects the joints from repetitive, high-impact stress while building lower-body strength and cardiovascular endurance. It also lowers the risk of common age-related injuries such as shin splints and cartilage wear.
“Cycling in Bahrain is no longer just a sport for the young – it is becoming a lifestyle embraced by people in their 30s, 40s, and beyond,” Ms Alsammak, who has been training cyclists for a decade, told the GDN.
“More people are discovering that it is never too late to start and that two wheels can be the beginning of a healthier, stronger and more active way of life,” she added.
Ms Alsammak got her first road bike in 2006 and has since cycled in four continents and won 16 medals. She is also the first Arab woman to have participated in the Maratona Des Dolomites in the Italian Alps in 2016.
Spurred on by the kingdom’s growing interest in the sport, she co-founded the Bees Friday rides and later launched Cycling Bees – the kingdom’s first and only group exclusively for women – 10 years ago, which now has more than 6,000 followers on Instagram.
Among the many individuals who have reaped the benefits of the activity is 62-year-old Sadiq Abdulla. He took up the sport to improve his fitness levels and spend more time outdoors and has since participated in several cycling events and group rides over the years.
“I started cycling at a stage when many people begin to slow down. Over the years, I have seen significant improvements in my endurance and energy levels,” noted the Bahraini consultant vascular and transplant surgeon from Saar.
Cycling also offers mental health benefits as experienced by 41-year-old Laura Gualinetti, who began her journey more than a year ago. The homemaker from Saar finds riding solo to be therapeutic. However, she also enjoys riding with a friend, describing it as a ‘coffee meetup’.
“I have always been a swimmer but adding cycling to the mix has further improved my fitness with better circulation. I participated in Ironman last year and intend to continue cycling well into my 50s, 60s and beyond,” said the Italian expatriate and Bahrain resident of three years.
Another major benefit of cycling is the scope for social connection. Not to forget that it is an environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
World Bicycle Day recognises the versatility, longevity and affordability of the bicycle while promoting it as a sustainable, clean and healthy form of conveyance. This year’s theme is ‘Cycling for a Greener Future’.
In Bahrain, the bicycle boom began during the Covid-19 pandemic when families with children were looking for a lockdown-compliant way to step outside and stay healthy.
For 47-year-old Fadwa Khunji, who has always been active, being stuck at home felt unnatural, pushing her to take up cycling.
“Cycling is far more than just a physical workout; it is a deeply meditative experience and a moving journey of self-reflection,” she said.
“While cycling started as a personal outlet, finding my community is what truly opened up my horizons,” explained the Janabiya resident, who is customer service head and museum operations acting chief at Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
Shahrazad Algillidary, 54, also attested to forging deep friendships in her cycling group, nodding to the social aspect of the activity. Pedalling away makes her feel ‘like a teenager’ and helps her forget stress and chores.
“Cycling in Bahrain has come such a long way especially with the opening of the cycling track in Zallaq. I hope they open more routes in Muharraq and Manama,” added the retired engineer from Muharraq, who has participated in Ironman 70.3 Bahrain and other events including a triathlon.
Nasser Bin Hamad Loop in Zallaq is a 50km dedicated cycling lane that was unveiled last year and offers riders a fast, traffic-free route. Other family-friendly tracks include the Salman Town track, the short coastal path in Muharraq, the mini loop in Bahrain Bay, and traffic-free routes in newer housing projects like Dilmunia and Diyar Al Muharraq.
Dedicated cycling zones help improve rider safety, which is a major concern. Ms Alsammak noted that there is a need to educate not just cyclists but also vehicle owners to follow rules like maintaining a safe distance from two-wheelers and driving within speed limits.
“As Bahrain’s cycling community grows, safety must grow with it,” she said.
The GDN recently reported on new traffic rules which mandate electric scooters and bicycles a maximum speed limit of 25kmph, with riders ordered to reduce speed further in populated areas and pedestrian zones. In addition, helmet use is now compulsory.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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