By Joey Aguilar
The “Cycle in Aspire” rent-a-bike scheme at Aspire Zone has started attracting both children and adults who want to enjoy an afternoon ride around the newly-opened 5-km cycling lane.
“Since cycling is becoming a popular sport and hobby in Qatar, we expect more people during the Eid al-Adha holidays,” an official told Gulf Times yesterday.
Aspire Zone has initially readied 120 bikes. The “Cycle-in-Aspire” area is located at the end of the road between the Villaggio and Hyatt Plaza near the area of children’s playground and outdoor football pitches.
The cycle hire scheme will be offered free until October 12. After that, regular fees will be charged starting at QR20 per hour and an additional QR5 for every hour. Valid Qatar ID card will be required as a security deposit.
Residents are allowed to bring their own cycles and can bike around the premises.
Aspire Zone’s “learn-to-ride” initiative every Saturday (3.30pm to 5pm) for children between the ages of six and 12 is also a big draw.
Besides basic cycling, instructors teach children how to properly and safely ride a bike. Helmet use is mandatory.
The official said many of the parents who were present during the opening of the “Cycle in Aspire” on October 1 had promised to bring their children every week.
With a well-lit Aspire Zone, a support team and bike medics, he assured cyclists that they would be safe while biking. Doha resident Mehdi Bekri from Algeria said biking at Aspire was a great experience for him and his two children.
“It’s a great opportunity to exercise,” he said. “I’m looking forward to do it often.” A flyer distributed at the “Cycle-in-Aspire” area reminded people to “cycle with care,” “be considerate with others,” “return the bicycles on time” and “treat the bicycles carefully”.
Abdullah al-Khater, Venues and Events acting manager of Aspire Zone, said the initiative aimed to encourage an active healthy lifestyles and to promote physical activity “in an atmosphere of premium entertainment”.
The cycle hire service is available from Sunday to Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and on Friday and Saturday from noon to 8pm. During the Eid al-Adha holidays, the timing is from noon to 8pm.