Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A group of young cyclists is on a twin mission ... to explore Bahrain and instil hope and positivity in people rattled by the pandemic.
As many across the kingdom struggled to keep fit, both physically and mentally, during Covid-19, one group found solace in cycling, leading to the formation of the Corona Riders.
It was founded by fellow Interior Ministry employees Abdulazziz Almarshad, 43, and Isa Rabia, 40, in February last year.
The duo, along with a few other cyclists, started the group with the aim of enhancing solidarity during these difficult times while also keeping people active in a safe setting.
“People were stressed and fearful during the beginning stages of the pandemic,” said Almarshad. “We wanted to alleviate their pressures, help with their mental health and allow them to practice sports in a natural environment away from health clubs.
“Initially it was just to help us stay strong and healthy, but now it’s a way of life for all of us.”
More than 100 cyclists aged 18 and above from different backgrounds have joined the journey, which started with one ride a week and then increased to two.
The number of participants for each ride however changes, with sometimes 40 members or less making the rounds.
Almarshad and Rabia decide the routes while journalist Dr Suhair Almohannadi, 40, handles the media coverage.
“Our riders spread a sense of national pride and lift spirits as they roll on through villages or neighbourhoods wearing the Corona Riders design,” said Rabia.
“We even carried different messages throughout our cycling trips such as ‘make your positive energy a joy that fills the kingdom’ and ‘Bahrain is the sun of our eye’ to unite people and spread smiles. It also allows us to explore different parts and hidden gems of Bahrain. Basically, live out your holidays within our great island.”
At the beginning, cyclists would set out on 12km to 15km rides and now they simply cycle for the love of the group, the sport and the cause, crossing up to 100km or more.
The team continues to flourish and its members welcome and care for all levels of riders.
“We hope someday our riders can cycle around the GCC as well as compete in cycling events,” said Almarshad.
The group is also delighted and motivated that Bahrain Cycling Association (BCA) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa joined them on some rides, promoting the sport and road safety.
“We thank Shaikh Khalid for his continuous support and commitment to making roads safe for cyclists. We would love if Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman, joins us some day,” added Almarshad.
Last year, BCA organised a cycling festival at Bahrain Bay and launched Cycle Safe Bahrain, an initiative to promote safe road sharing practices, especially after a series of biking tragedies struck the island.
In November last year, Scottish expatriate banker and sporting figure Allan Sword was killed while cycling with friends on the Wali Al Ahad road near Hamala after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident and more recently, Indian cyclist Mohammed Haneen, 19, died in a collision with a car on the Dry Dock Highway in Hidd.
BCA president Shaikh Khalid continues to urge drivers to stay focused on the road, to keep at least 1.5m away from cyclists at all times and is also spearheading a series of new initiatives.
Plans are underway to launch a cycling app to help inform safest routes and provide emergency response details. A road safety education series and infrastructure improvements to provide safe cycling routes are also being considered.
Those interested in joining the Corona Riders can contact Rabia on 33250041 or Almarshad on 35508752 or visit @group.corona.riders.2020.bh on Instagram.
