Supplied picture shows cyclists during a race organised by Qatar Chain Reaction in Dukhan recently.

By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Qatar cycling groups and bike enthusiasts in the country will be holding a special programme, “Share the Road Campaign,” on October 30 to raise public awareness on road safety.
“The activity is also a part of the ‘Ride of the Champions’ organised by the Qatar Cycling Federation aimed at promoting Union Cycliste Internationale’s World Road Championships, to be held in Qatar from October 9 to 16 next year,”  Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR) founding member Ben Keane said.
“There is an increase of bike-related accidents on the road. We (cyclists) already know how dangerous it is to ride on our streets and it is about time for us to unite and do something about it,” he stressed.
Divided into two groups, Group A members will start from Katara – the Cultural Village and proceed to The Pearl-Qatar, Lusail Circuit, Tenbek and then back to Katara (approximately 96km). Group B will be doing a short ride of about 19km from Katara to The Pearl-Qatar and then back to Katara.
In co-ordination with QCF, Keane noted that various cycling communities in Qatar which include Qatar Cyclist , Filipino International Triathletes Qatar, United Filipino Mountain Bikers Qatar, Tri Club Doha, Pinoy Roadies - Qatar and QCR are all teaming up to join the advocacy.
He urged cyclists and enthusiasts to “unite and ride as one” and to help share the information on social media to attract more participants.
“Everyone is welcome. It does not matter whether you are a pro cyclist, a weekend warrior or just a regular bike commuter. If you’re riding on two wheels, you need to get involved. This is for us,” the QCR official said.
“We will follow the stop lights and all road rules. We ask everyone to follow our pace so we can show that it is indeed possible for cyclists and motorists to share one road,” he added.
All types of bicycles are welcome but those who do not have helmets will not be allowed to join the ride.
Participants will meet at Katara at 5.30am and the “Share the Road Campaign” programme will start at 6am. The ride will start at 6.30am.
Local triathlete and cyclist Dondie Montiague recently suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident during his training. He is under treatment at Hamad Medical Corporation. Keane also urged cyclists to use #qatarsharetheroad and #rideofthechampions on Twitter as the official hashtags of the event.
On the World Road Championships, he said the global event will gather 1,000 racers from 75 countries and more than 5,700 participants from national federations, delegations and technicians, including journalists.