September 2014 DUBAI CYCLE PARK - Cloudinary · 2015. 8. 21. · DUBAI CYCLE PARK NB: ... number of riders seen riding as parts of groups and major cycling events in Dubai is testamanet

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DUBAI CYCLEPARK

September 2014

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DUBAI CYCLEPARK

NB: this plan is for illustrative purposes only to visualize how a cycle park could look and function. Further testing of location and financial feasibility would need to be undertaken

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Cycle Park; An urban or rural park

where a variety of cycling facilities are provided in

one consolidated location with

necessary support facilities.The aim

is to encourage cycling as an

enjoyable and healthy pastime for all ages and

abilities in a safe park setting.

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critical thinking...creative results.

In 2014, in response to H.H.Sheikh Hamdan bin Mahommed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s “My Community....A City for Everyone’ Place Dynamix

are the leading design consultancy helping to deliver the Crown Prince’s vision for a truly accessible and inviting city for everyone in time for

expo 2020. We have helped launch the TAWASOL initiative on behalf of the DTMFZA and are accessibility consultants on major projects

including Dubai Design District D3 and all Tecom Investment areas. We are helping to create a city that is fully accessible for people regardless of physical ability. As part of our commitment to accessibility, sustainability

and lifestyle in Dubai, we are promoting sustainable forms of transport and active healthy lifestyles through all our work. As keen cyclists, we see cycling as critical to our design work and as such are delighted to present

this report as a means of prompting debate and awareness.

Place Dynamix (Middle East)

[email protected]

Studio 1405, Jumeirah Bay X3 Tower, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, UAE

+971 4 399 1186

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Contents

01The Health, Happiness & Activity Agenda in Dubai

02Why Cyclists Love Dubai

03The Strategic Vision for Cycling in Dubai

04 The Case for a Cycle Park in Dubai

05 Concept Design of a Cycle Park

Purpose of this Report

The report presents our idea for consolidating various cycling facilities into one multi-purpose

24hr cycle park to support the already World-class cycling facilities available in Dubai.

The following white paper encourages debate and awareness to such a proposal and tests the practicality of such a facility in an example location. It is concluded by showing an example of

such a park in Dubai to visualize how it may look, where it may be located and consider what facilities may be provided.

We are team of landscape architects,architects, engineers, urban designer & planners. Most importantly, we are also

cycling enthusiasts and regular users of existing facilities in the UAE. Our head office is in Dubai and we are all long time

residents of the city we call home.

The concept is not linked to any real proposal, nor is it financially costed for economic feasibility. Instead, we are team

of enthusiast cyclists working on various urban development projects across Dubai and this is our gift back to the cycling

community to raise debate about the next progression of cycling in the Emirate.

Dan Bulmer, Managing DirectorB.A. Hons (Manchester), M.T.C.P (Manchester), Dip U.D. (Bristol), M.R.T.P.I.

All effort has been made to avoid copyright infringement of photographic material in this concept report. To best of our knowledge, all images are publicly accessible images with creative commons licence permission. If you feel this is incorrect, please contact us and we’ll be happy to remove.

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HEALTH HAPPINESS

FITNESS

01

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Economic Benefits• Improving Dubai’s global competitiveness and livability & happiness index;• Regional tourism opportunities;• Inexpensive mode of transportation allowing for disposable income to be spent in the local community;• Sales in local businesses, workshops, cafes & other local service businesses local to existing cycle facilities;• Growth in cycling resulting in increased sales to local cycle shops and increased employment of staff.

Social Benefits• Opportunities to meet like-minded people;• Promoting a happy population;• Chance to develop new friendships;• Fun & shared family activities;• Business networking;• Social group opportunities;• Utilizing benefits to teach values of sportsmanship, teamwork and companionship in children;• Reduction in stress when enjoying shared pastimes;• Social cohesion and tolerance.

Health & Fitness Benefits• Improving general health by combating heart related illness, diabetes, obesity;• Improving mental health by way of stress relief and general well being;• Encouraging healthier lifestyles in children;• Combating sedentry lifestyles in children and encouraging social interaction;• Reducing pollution, increasing air quality and offering alternative means of travel.

HEALTH HAPPINESS ACTIVITY

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THE HEALTH / HAPPINESS / ACTIVITY AGENDA IN DUBAIDubai is experiencing a significant shift toward cycling.Be it for recreation, health benefits or sport, cycling isbecoming increasingly popular and with that the demandfor safe places to cycle.

Recreation – cycling is being enjoyed by a broaddemographic of people in Dubai wishing to pursue in anoutdoor lifestyle that is both healthy and sociable. Thenumber of riders seen riding as parts of groups and majorcycling events in Dubai is testamanet to this.

Sport – The number of cyclists engaging in cycling as ahobby or competitive sport is expanding rapidly, with agrowing number of local Emirati riders joining the cyclingcommunity with local clubs and a national team making anappearance in recent years.

Commuting – As new roads in Dubai are being designedwith cyclists in mind and the RTA rolls out bold plans for improving cycling safety, the ability to use cycling as a sustainable alternative to car use in cooler months for commuting is more possible. Place Dynamix are designing streets across the Middle East that are conducive to safe, shaded and connected cycling. At City Walk (left and above), we are working with Meraas to design all road and public realm infrastructure.

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CYCLISTS LOVE

DUBAI

02

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WORLD CLASS FACILITIES HAVE BEEN BUILT IN DUBAINad Al Sheba Cycle Park

Al Qudra Cycle Path

Mushrif Park Dubai Autodrome Al Khawaneej Park

Cycle track quality Tarmac surface single direction

Tarmac surface dual direction


Tarmac surface single direction


Cycle track distance

8km, 6km and 4km loops

86km (extensions in construction)

5km 2.5km 3km

Toilets Yes Yes Yes Yes YesShowers Yes Yes No No NoClubhouse No No No No NoChildren’s cycling/ play

Yes No Yes No Yes

Functioning hours 24 hrs (floodlit) 24 hrs 8am - 10pm 6pm - 9pm 24 hoursAccessibility & connectivity

Good vehicular access. No formal cycle access





Car Parking Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Racing Opportunities

Yes Yes No Yes No

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DUBAI IS A WORLD LEADER IN HOSTING OF SPORTING EVENTS

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THE STRATEGIC

VISION

03

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The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has responded very positively to the rapid increase in cycling popularity by developing the Dubai Bicycle Masterplan. The plan is aimed at providing 850km of strategic cycleways in central business district areas and newly developed localities as suitable transit alternatives for commuters and cycling enthusiasts.

Engineer Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency reported the cycling track project resulted from a comprehensive study based on several criteria:

• tourist environment, • popularity of the area, • accessibility to the Metro stations and mass transit modes, • fulfilment of safety • aesthetic aspects

Early stages of the masterplan have already been implemented in various communities such as Jumeirah, Mankhool, and Bur Dubai, among others.

The completed cycling tracks comprise a 23km-long track along Jumeirah Street, 1.4km track along Street No 7 which links Jumeirah Street with Al Mankhool Street, and a 1.6km track at

the Mall of the Emirates station. Also included in the project is the 67-km track spanning Seih Assalam Road and Al Qudra Road which includes public utilities and shops for hiring bikes, gear and accessories in addition to a medical clinic as well as the 11km track at the centre of Bur Dubai covering Al Fuhaidi, Al Falah, Al Ghubaiba and Al Hisn Roads.

Other areas to benefit from the bicycle network over the forthcoming two years will include Al Barsha, Al Khawaneej, Al Warqa, Al Quoz 3, Al Sufouh Street, Al Mamzar Park, Mushrif Park, and Hor Al Anz East.

The inner city cycle tracks closely follow the 75-km long Dubai Cycling Course in Seih Assalam, part of a cycling master plan that includes a 25km track in Jumeirah as well as smaller tracks near Mall of the Emirates, Al Mamzar Park and Al Mizhar Park.

The RTA is currently constructing a 4.5-km-long track in the central district of Bur Dubai, and has completed the designs of four tracks linking Jumeirah Road with four Metro stations on Sheikh Zayed Road. Additionally, the authority has completed the construction of 1,400 bike racks

around all Metro stations.

Following the successful implementation of the first phase of the cycling master plan, RTA has now approved construction of cycling tracks in 11 residential areas stretching 52km at a cost of Dh40 million.

“The construction of the cycling tracks is part of a master plan developed by RTA to provide dedicated cycling spaces across the entire Dubai emirate in a bid to encourage the use of bikes as an environment-friendly transit means, as well as for the benefit of cycling enthusiasts,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA.

Work on the new cycling tracks will begin this year and will be completed by 2016.

The RTA Cycling Master Plan addresses cycling routes within the current rights-of-way as well as developing separate cycle lanes, taking into account intersection points with pedestrians and vehicles, provision of cycle racks for safe and secure bicycle parking at the public transport stations in particular, specific bicycle lanes in entertainment areas, surface materials and cycle track signage.

THE STRATEGIC VISION FOR CYCLING IN DUBAI

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THE CASE FOR A

CYCLE PARK

04

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Competitive Road RidingRoad riding is commonly provided for by way of the many cycle tracks listed above. However the growing interest in road riding and triathlons is making a natural progression toward increased competitive racing. The UAE National Cycling Federation organise and implement road races for Federation members. The races are held at the weekends on Dubai roads, which despite support from Federation Race Officials, support vehicles and Dubai Police are inherently dangerous with traffic passing alongside the race.

The Nad Al Sheba Camel Track (whilst still available) and Al Qudra bike track are used for some races, such as the Spinney’s 92 event and earlier build-up races but there are no formal race facilities in place for registration of riders, race timing, and general race catering. These events have to be advertised well in advance to notify non-racing cyclists that the venue is temporarily closed to regular use.

Mountain BikingThe mountain bike fraternity typically travel outside of the Dubai emirate in search of off-road cross-country and mountain trails. There are currently no dedicated mountain bike trails or venue catering for off-road mountain bike cycling in Dubai.

In addition to recreational mountain biking, a number of locally organized, national and regional races are scheduled in the racing season. Most races take place in Ras Al Khaimah, Oman and in and around the Hajar Mountain region.

The closest mountain bike trails can be found at the foothills of the Hajar mountains at Showka. Typically this is a 1 hour drive from Dubai.

BMX and Stunt RidingBMX freestyle biking is accommodated at locations around Dubai varying in size and design complexity but is largely shared with skateboarders using the same facilities. Dubai does not currently provide any facilities for BMX Supercross, which would enable BMX riders an alternative experience purely dedicated to BMX.

The first reason for a cycle park is the ability to cater for all riders in Dubai. Despite the world class facilities already provided, there are plans afoot to further improve facilities as well as cater for the other proportion of the cycling fraternity are not being catered for. In this respect it is pertinent to address the different cycling disciplines and how facilities could be improved to include the wider cycling contingent.

1 / CATERING FOR ALL RIDERS

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2 / CELEBRATING THE DESERT LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE

A cycle park would provide people with the recreational access to explore the natural desert environment. Children and adults can learn about the arid landscape environment, unique wildlife and traditional lifestyles. Educational resources can be incorporated into the indigenous desert landscape to learn about water sensitive plant species and trees. Viewing decks, picnic areas, boardwalks and shaded areas can encourage local families to use the park whether using the cycling facility or not.

In support of sustainable development for the project, the landscape of the Dubai Cycle Centre would be host to a regionally native and desert adapted species palette, with generally lower water dependency and enhancing the existing desert biodiversity of the surrounding area.

Trees offer natural shade and plants decorate the open spaces for an overall pleasant and interesting cycling experience, be it cycling leisurely along the recreational route in the natural shade or riding past architectural agave cacti on the mountain bilke trail, the landscape would be distinct but appropriate for the desert setting of the Dubai Cycle Park.

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The current road design and driving attitude of a largely expatriate population in Dubai is not conducive to safe or pleasent riding on the majority of roads. Despite this, a large cycling community has grown thanks the the support of the city’s leaders in providing World class off road facilities. Cycling can now be enjoyed by people in a safe and unique setting that attracts riders from across the region.

Changing the attitude and driving culture of motorists in Dubai is a huge task involving ongoing cycling campaigns to educate the constant turnover of new motorists entering Dubai. While attitudes towards cyclists is improving around the World, the complete safety of riders can not be achieved yet in the city geared towards the motorist over more vulnerable users. This has sadly been proved with a number of recent fatalities and injuries amongst the cycling and triathlon community. As a result, several cycling clubs have declared

3 / PROVIDING SAFE ACCESSIBLE

FACILITIES FOR ALL USERS IN DUBAI

the UAE’s roads too dangerous for the pastime. Although this has changed with a number of new urban projects including safe cycling routes, the evolution of the cycling scene in the UAE at large has largely demanded off-street cycle paths to be implemented to accommodate the sport. This is a similar situation in other cities such as London (below) where Dutch style segregated routes are being promoted to replace shared on-street routes. The debate of whether cyclists should

be segregated from vehicles will no doubt continue but as an interim measure to respond pro-actively to a growing cycling population, we support the idea of providing completely safe and segregated facilities where children and adults can enjoy cycling safely and with no threat.

With the idea of Dubai Cycle Park, we are promoting the idea of a completely safe separate facility dedicated to cycling where safe races can be hosted and cycling proficiency can be taught to children to teach the rules of the road in a safe controlled environment.

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4 / COMPETITIVE RACING, RECREATION, LEISURE & SUPPORT SERVICES IN A 24hr CONSOLIDATED MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY

Race Support - Racing teams with support personnel, race officials and spectators need suitable facilities for the duration of the race, ie viewing points and spectator stands close to finish or key locations, toilets, catering facilities etc.

Clubhouse & Cafes – Teams and riding clubs frequently stay in touch using social media but clubhouses offer a regular meeting place to organize events, meet for post ride get-togethers etc. The clubhouse could also cater for other facilities such as indoor training facilities, eg fitness gym or spinning room, physiotherapy treatment rooms, healthbar/ café, changing/ shower facilities etc

Competitive Race Facilities - a number of events can be hosted on purpose built tracks for mountain biking, bmx and criteriums. Spectator seating can be arranged to view all tracks and allow for prize giving events.

Trails - natural rugid terrains exploring the desert landscape. Trails can be split between family friendly trails and more competitive routes.

Family Facilities - to attract the whole family and encourage healthy lifestyles in children, parks, cafes, play areas. Grassed embankments and viewing areas can allow families to watch loved ones in races. A children’s proficiency cycle course can be provided to teach children safety rules of road.

BMX freestyle, pump tracks, skate parks and other facilities aimed at teenagers and adults can attract people of all ages.

RECREATIO

NAL FAMILY FRIENDLY NATURAL TRAIL AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIY TO LEARN ABOUT DESERT AND ITS LANDSCAPE &WILDLIFE

RACE SUPPORT

CAR PARKING

CLUB HOUSE

CHILD CYCLE

COURSE

SPECTATOR SEATINGCRITERIUM

COURSE

FAMILY PARK

CAFE

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS

DESERT TRAIL

BMX PUMP TRACK

FREESTYLE BMX

MEDSKATE PARK

HIRE

Evening/ 24hr cycling – The Dubai climate can render some outdoor facilities useless in the early dark evenings or during summer when daylight hours are too hot. Therefore a 24hr facility that enables people to use the park when conditions dictate enables people to maintain their hobby/ sport throughout the year.

Below is a diagrammatic representation of the consolidation of various cycling related facilities into one park setting to provide for all ages, abilities and cycling preferences.

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Redbridge Cycling Centre is a facility for cyclists of all abilities, from families to competitive riders.

The Centre has purpose built road & off road tracks, a large stock of hire bikes including mountain bikes, road bikes, BMXs, children’s bikes, trailer bikes, bikes with child seats as well as number of adapted bikes for disabled users.

The Centre runs the Cycle Vision scheme and has qualified British Cycling coaches who offer school holiday courses, coaching for schools and are able to teach customers (adults & children) how to ride.

The National Cycling Centre was Britain’s first indoor Olympic cycling track, and since it opened in 1994, has become one of the World’s finest and fastest board tracks.

In July 2011, the National Cycling Centre was expanded significantly with the launch of a new £24Million purpose built indoor BMX Complex. It houses the UK’s only permanent indoor BMX track with seating for two thousand fans.

The centre hosts a comprehensive BMX track programme catering for all riders; from novice to elite, schoolchildren to masters aged from 18months upwards.

New for 2013 was the introduction of The Mountain Bike trails. The trails are 12km in length comprising of four different skill levels ranging from easy to expert. The National Cycling Centre is the Trail head for this route.

There is also a Mountain Bike and BMX Skills Zone featuring a pump track and plenty of Technical Trail Features.

The World Cycle Centre in Switzerland is a high-level coaching and training centre. It is noted for its modern facilities and is located in an ideal environment for cycling. Designed for riders, coaches and cycling managers, the WCC has been given the label ‘Olympic Training Centre’ by the IOC.

The WCC hosts a 200m indoor wooden track, BMX Supercross Olympic track with start ramp, weights room, clothing and equipment for all cycling disciplines, mechanical workshop, restaurant providing meals that meet the nutritional requirements of athletes, highly qualified coaches and instructors, classrooms and meeting rooms and accommodation nearby. The main objective of the WCC is to detect and train the most promising athletes so that they reach international level.

INTERNATIONALEXAMPLES OF CYCLE PARKS

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CONCEPT DESIGN OF A CYCLE PARK

05

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NUMEROUS LOCATIONS ARE POSSIBLE FOR A CYCLE PARK. THESE ARE A FEW POSSIBLE LOCATIONS

Dubai Sports City

Dubai Cycling Course (loop)

Dubai Cycling Course (top of stick)

Camel Track

Hamdan Sports Complex

DubaiLandJebel Ali Racetrack

Ras Al Khor

Showka

Dubai WaterfrontDubai Expo 2020

RAK

Meydan Racecourse

Festival City

Nad Al Sheba

Mushrif Park

Khawaneej Park

Safa Park

Dubai Studio City

Academic City

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AS THE CURRENT HOME OF DUBAI ROAD CYCLING, WE HAVE CHOSEN DUBAI CYCLING COURSE AS THE LOCATION FOR AN

EXAMPLE OF HOW A CYCLE PARK COULD LOOK AND FUNCTION IN A DESERT LANDSCAPE CONNECTED TO EXISTING FACILITIES

USING DUBAI CYCLING COURSE AS A POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR A CYCLE PARK FACILITY

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In the following plans are our proposals for a consolidated cycle park where a number of different cycling disciplines can ride in a safe and enjoyable desert landscape setting. Additional park facilities will provide for families and younger generations to also benefit from the safe environment.

The Dubai Cycle Park is proposed as a facility for cyclists of all abilities, from families to competitive riders – a cycle destination for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East.

Our proposal looks to offer a state of the art cycling centre in a park setting that meets the demands of cycling professionals & elite racers, enthusiasts and recreational riders.

The park could accommodate a full range of facilities that meet the majority of cycling disciplines. The overall aim is to accommodate all disciplines and abilities simultaneously, including racing.

The site should be designed to accommodate race standard facilities, therefore official race criteria will feed into the design of individual discipline courses to enable racing to take place to official race standards.

The climate is a contributing factor to the operational requirements of cyclists in Dubai, therefore the site will be designed to accommodate 24 hour facilities with lighting to enable early morning & late night cycling.

BMX MOUNTAIN BIKE CHILDRENS CYCLING

RECREATIONAL ROAD CYCLING FAMILY PARK

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concept plan

Total Site Area - approx. 330,000m2

(33 hectares)

north


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sports facilities plan

Criterium Course(total 3km)Mountain Bike Trails (total 6km)

BMX pump track(total 500m)Freestyle BMX & Skate Park

Desert Trail Track(total 2.2km)Children’s Cycle Proficiency Course

Dubai Cycling Course(over 100km)BMX Half pipe and bowl competitions

BMX / Skatepark

start/finish by spectator stand

Children’s cycling proficciency coursehalfpipe and bmx bowlconnection to existing cycle track

to allow for grand finishes to longer desert races

family cycling track

easy level outer mountain bike trail (2km)

technical hard level mountain bike trails

loops in criterium track to provide shorter races

multi-functional desert trail for all users

3km criterium track

bridges for mountain bike track over crit course

BMX pump track or Supercross track

750m crit loop

400m

crit l

oop

850m crit loop

2km mountain bike trail

1.5km mountain bike trail 1km mountain

bike trail

north


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support facilities planexisting car parking can be expanded

existing facilities

additional facilities to support cafe existing facilities

covered spectator seating stand to view all tracks

educational road safety display

shade canopies, BBQs and family sports facilities in family park

raised embankment to allow for viewing of races from family park

architectural feature bridges

educational signs and displays teaching about desert landcape and wildflife

link to existing track

existing site entrance

north

• Criterium track - 3km total• Mountain bike trails - 6km total• Desert Trail Track - 2.2km• BMX pump track• BMX / Skate park

• Children’s cycle proficiency course• Family Park and facilities• New support facilities• Expanded parking• Spectator seating and facilities


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desert landscape plan

artificially raised terrain for mountain bike trails to make some routes harder

trees act as windbreak for hot southerly shamal winds

trees at edges and corners to act as wind break

sand fences and other mitigation devices around site edges to limit wind

blown sand entering park

family park stabilises sand and trees block excessive wind speed

intermittent use of shade trees to crit course to lower surface temperature and shade riders

simple palette of indigenous tree species used to create an authentic desert landscape that is better suited to arid conditions and creates visually interesting environment

limited use of grass due to high water consumption and no shading benefit

north


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place

Place Dynamix (Middle East)

[email protected]

Studio 1405, Jumeirah Bay X3 Tower, Jumeirah Lake Towers,

Dubai, UAE

+971 4 399 1186

September 2014 DUBAI CYCLE PARK - Cloudinary · 2015. 8. 21. · DUBAI CYCLE PARK NB: ... number of riders seen riding as parts of groups and major cycling events in Dubai is testamanet

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