Abu Dhabi is well on track to becoming a fitness-friendly city, with Dh100 million worth of cycling and running trails now 45 per cent complete.
The cycling tracks will stretch over 14.12 kilometres, while the walking and jogging lanes will take up 39.31km across 28 locations on both Abu Dhabi island and the mainland.
On Saturday, April 11, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) announced the trails are nearly half complete, with Wam reporting that ADM is also planning to landscape and shade the areas surrounding the tracks to enhance their appearance, plus provide dedicated crossing areas so users can enter and exit the tracks safely.
The project works include a bicycle path in Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street, a bicycle path and jogging track on Arabian Gulf Street, a path to connect bicycle lanes between Arab Gulf Street and Sheikh Zayed Street, and a bicycle and jogging track on Arabian Gulf Street, aka the Fintair Walkway (the project also includes rehabilitation of the running paths that are already in place there).
Bike tracks and jogging trails aside, the project will also mean 145 rest and multiple exercise areas fitted out with equipment, including high-quality rubber tracks. The aim is not only to get residents moving and hence more fit, but also to promote walking and cycling as modes of eco-friendly transportation.
Earlier this year, the capital launched the highly anticipated Jubail Mangrove Park, dominated by a 2km boardwalk to attract both nature lovers and fitness buffs. "Some people might want to take a brisk walk, some would want a leisurely stroll and there will be people coming in to take pictures as this is a photographer's paradise," a ranger told The National.
Abu Dhabi Corniche, Yas Marina Circuit and Umm Al Emarat Park are some other areas where residents can enjoy a daily dose of exercise and fresh air: that is, once the coronavirus pandemic passes us by.
In that sense, the announcement by ADM gives self-isolating residents something to look forward to, although it's not entirely clear when the latest set of running and cycling tracks will open.
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Read more:
Jubail Mangrove Park: everything you need to know from parking to location
How to create a home workout space without spending a fortune
Dubai residents urged to get on their exercise bikes in fitness challenge
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A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
