Triathlete Dondie Monitague who was recently injured on the road attended the event.

By Joey Aguilar

Some 550 cyclists from different cycling and triathlete groups in Qatar participated in the ‘Ride of the Champions’ and ‘Share the Road Campaign’ held at Katara – the Cultural Village recently, aimed at raising public awareness on road safety.
Supported by Qatar Cycling Federation president Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani, the event also highlighted the importance of educating cyclists and motorists to courteously “share the road” with one another.
The participants were divided into two groups: Group A rode a 96km route from Katara to The Pearl-Qatar and Lusail Circuit up until Tenbek in Al Khor, and then back to Katara.
Meanwhile, Group B went for the shorter distance (19km), starting from Katara to The Pearl Qatar and back to Katara.
“We dedicate these events to our colleague Dondie Monitague who suffered a severe spinal cord injury due to a recent accident,” Jaynald J Canaria from the Filipino International Triathlete Qatar (FITQ) told Gulf Times.
Montiague was riding his bicycle and traversing the National Ceremonial Road (which connects the Dukhan Highway to Shamal Road) when a bus suddenly pulled off and hit him, according to Canaria. He is now confined at Al Rumailah Hospital in the Rehabilitation Unit.
Canaria said it was not the first time a member of their group got injured on the road caused by speeding vehicles. Three weeks earlier, one of their colleagues suffered a collar bone fracture after he was hit by a vehicle in the same area.
“Two accidents in less than a month, this was the reason why we decided to hold these events,” he stressed. “Knowing the danger to ride on the streets, it is about time to unite and do something about it.”
Cyclists in Qatar and bike enthusiasts are now becoming more aware of the increasing number of bicycle-related accidents on the road, according to Canaria.
He said they also partnered with the Hamad Medical Corporation Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department which will celebrate the 24th World International Traffic Management Association Congress on November 16 to 18.
Some of the cycling groups which joined the event include the United Filipino Mountain Bikers Qatar, Pinoy Roadies Qatar, Qatar Chain Reaction, Sandstormers and Qatar Cyclist. The Tri Club Doha and FITQ (triathlete groups) also took part in the events.