Cyclists’ video inspires many to hop on

A new video shot in Dammam follows several Saudi men who now use their bicycles to commute, fetch groceries and run other errands. In the video, the cyclists recount how they were initially faced with several challenges upon deciding to ditch the car for two (or three) wheels instead.
“The life style of Saudi Arabia is such that you don’t get time for exercise or there are few opportunities to go for long walks or play sports, so I found this the best way to avoid heavy traffic and keep myself healthy,” said Khalid Al Saqabi, a director at a human resource company who bikes every day to and from work.
He said that the idea of biking daily seemed daunting at first, but that he has since managed to get the swing of things.
“At the beginning, I felt scared because there are no separate lanes for cyclists, but I found that drivers were slowly beginning to recognize me and my bicycle,” he explained.
Another bike-rider, Abdulaziz Malham, an employee at a technology company, says he has been riding his bike to work every day for the past five months.
“I found myself being more productive at work. I have to sit for long hours in front of a computer,” says Malham.
The cyclist says that riding his bike for every day to go to work and for shopping is an excellent way to avoid heavy traffic and stay healthy.