Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Ghost prefers to use the conventional pedal bike for transport.

In Taiwan, during the 2005-2006 school year ghost used a bike to get to University every day (a distance of 16km round trip), despite the fact everyone said the roads were too dangerous.

Ghost had to wear a mask in Taiwan, as the pollution was horrendous. The heat (about 35 degrees in the warm months) was just about tolerable.

Now, what about in the Emirates, do some teachers there use bicycles as their preferred mode of transport, or is it simply too hot (weather) or dangerous (too many cars and dodgy roads) to attempt using a bike to get to and from work?

In ghost`s case, the position will be in a place by the name of Al Ain.

Many thanks for any feedback provided.

Ghost

[NadiaK]

Too hot for much of the year, but cool enough for several months.

Too dangerous in most parts of the country, but possible in small towns. I'm not sure about Al Ain, though.

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Al Ain is a city of roundabouts ... when coming to which most cyclists tend to dismount ... fearing for their life I should imagine ...

The only 'westerners' I remember using bikes for day to day travel were some American mountain-bikers who seemed impervious to the fact that they weren't cycling around the backwaters of North America ... and come to think of it, impervious to many other differences of life in the UAE as well ...

[Bindair Dundat]

[grand fromage]

Sheikh is right. Best Ghost buys a car or high life insurance if goes on with plan.

[Miss TESOL]

Be sure to get a bell to ding-ding as you ride along to warn pedestrians. Also, you'll want to ride on the wrong side facing traffic as the other expats of various nationalities do--this is safer, and might save your life as you'll be able to dive if need be.

Several hundred dirhams will get you the Chinese Schwinn counterfeit model so popular here. A rack will be just a bit extra.

Miss T

[ghost]

Going by the last post, one can read that other expats do use bikes to get around, so this means it is possible. That is good news.

Ghost is green (in the ecological way) and also somewhat green when it comes to driving in foreign locales....so the bike would really fit the bill. Plus the fact of the savings gained by not buying or renting a car.

How easy is it to get around Al Ain?, and another question. Ghost is an avid long distance runner. Are there places around Al Ain where ghost will be able to train, away from traffic? Also is it ok to wear shorts when running, or would it offend local customs?

Many thanks for the feedback.

Ghost

[Bindair Dundat]

[ghost]

Thank you Dr. Bindair for the feedback - you appear to possess a wealth of information on the locale.

If others in Al Ain enjoy going for a jog 3-4 times a week (duration approx. '30' minutes - 3.5-4 miles run) please send a p.m. to ghost.

Ghost

[cmp45]

Ghost,
Please do update us once you arrive to Alain and the reality of the situation takes hold. As I am certain it will be vastly different from the reality you have in your mind.

I worked in Fujairah, which is a considerably smaller place, but still spread out. There were some bicyclists, but mostly from South Asia / Pakistan; used as a cheap form of transport; not for mere excercising.

Alain is spread out too and has long stretches of roads with lots of round abouts. It may take you about 30 minutes just to jog to the city limits; depending upon where you are living.

An alternative may be to get a treadmill in your home; a bit dull perhaps, but may lessen the possibility of heat stroke? Oh did I forget? You want to save money>>>>>>>?
The UAE is hot and humid, so very very hot and humid. Yes, there are a few months when it is just a little hot and humid. An alternative to jogging maybe to start swimming, or a better idea~ lounge by the pool and develope your paunch with over priced beer. Just a thought.

[veiledsentiments]

As I recall, Al-Ain was significantly less humid than the coastal cities, but in exchange it is even hotter. ... think months on end where the temps push and often unofficially go over 50C... and many nights barely get below 35. ... months and months... 6-8 months of every year...

I would definitely recommend a treadmill for part of the year. Winter weather is gorgeous though. As to dress, there are other joggers around... take you cue from them.

As to bicycles... I'd put the chances of survival if you rode to work every day at about... 70%?

VS

[babalo5]

[ghost]

It appears it will simply be too dangerous to use a bike as a form of transport. A great pity as ghost loves the bicycle for all the benefits - transport, exercise and economy of commute funds being the principal ones. In Taiwan (2005-2006), ghost was the only teacher to use a bicycle to get to and from work and to University.....but in Taiwan, ghost discovered many side roads which were much, much lighter in traffic compared with the main roads......and ghost would like to know if a similar situation exists in Al Ain....that is, side roads which go in the same direction as the main ones?

Also, if someone used a taxi service to get to and from work, what would the cost be per day, per week. And do such services exist?

Many thanks for any feedback.

Ghost

[grand fromage]

Yes, many side roads exist-especially around the downtown area. Don't forget there are wadis (dry riverbeds) running throughout the city and they are being paved slowly as well. The only risk there would be a flashflood

As for the risk factor, my guesstimate is 30%, especially on roundabouts where tinted-out 4x4s don't even slow down to see if there is oncoming traffic. They might even entertain you with taking a roundabout on 2 wheels while the passengers stick their heads out of the car to see if your pants are still dry I'm not kidding. This is the favorite pastime of Al Ain aspiring youth!

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Rather like a Walrus toying with its prey ... and let's not forget one or two of the drivers sat behind those tinted windows are sat on cushions to see over the dashboard...

Taxis ... very reasonable ... lets say a 10km journey around 7Dh ... but one of the most economical ways to get around is to actually buy a car .. there's a very good 2nd hand market in the UAE ... check out the gulf news classifieds for an idea of their prices ... bearing in mind that if you're in Al Ain and like the great outdoors, many of the most enjoyable pursuits are off road ...