Qatar Cyclists Centre, organisers of the 2017 Ride of Champions, has urged motorists and cyclists to drive and ride carefully while the event is under way from 6.30am to 11.30am this Friday.
With more than 1,000 cyclists participating in the event, roads in Doha from Qatar Foundation via Dukhan Highway to Sheehaniya, Otouriyah and Jumailiyah will see the “record number of participants taking to the streets”, according to a statement from the organisers.
Motorists have been asked to take due care around the cyclists and help enable the “festival of sport” to be conducted safely.
Signs will be put up to warn motorists as they approach a point where their path will coincide with the cycling route, and Traffic Police vehicles and marshals will also be present along the route. The Traffic Police are supporting the event with five police cars and 10 motorbikes, the organisers said.
Dr Abdulazziz al-Kuwari, president, Qatar Cyclists Centre, said: “I want to thank the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Traffic Police Department, for their invaluable support to the event.
“We hope all motorists and cyclists will come together to help make this a safe and fun event for everyone, one that will showcase the nation
and cycling to the world.”
The event organisers have listed the following tips for
motorists and cyclists:
* For motorists when driving around cyclists: drive slowly and with enough free space when overtaking cyclists, follow directions from marshals and police officers on the route, allow cyclists to pass in front before turning onto a road, if passing a cyclist, allow for more than a 1.5m gap between you and the cyclist, and do not take any
unnecessary risks.
* For cyclists for riding around motorists: give a ‘thank you’ wave to courteous drivers, do not accelerate to prevent cars from turning or changing lanes, be mindful of traffic and do not take unnecessary risks, ride ‘two by two’ in columns, and stay in the inside lane to allow space to pass.
Details can be found at www.rocdoha.qa
