Car travelers are increasingly looking for alternatives to sitting in traffic. Anyone who has wasted precious time trapped in the morning and evening rush hours will have reflected on a electric scooter or a bicycle at some point.
Fuel, long-term costs, and environmental concerns are all valid reasons to avoid using a car, especially if your destination is just a few minutes away. But less is said about the adverse effects on general health. The harmless act of being gone for most of the day can take a toll on your body.
Health experts agree that better, more active ways to get around should be considered. Ivana Banicevic, co-founder of the Dubai-based Health, Exercise and Research Center (HERC) and head of HERC’s research department, said: “Using a car as our primary means of travel can increase the total time we spend sitting in a car. sitting position, which is considered the worst position. It’s like increasing our office hours. We see a big difference between people who use the car to get to work and those who use more active ways to get around: they end up living a healthier life. “
He added: “Active modes of transportation can increase total daily energy expenditure (TDI), which helps burn more calories than driving cars.”
If you live in Dubai, you can take advantage of the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) fitness initiative. they are help travelers stay active creating a map of parks, gyms, soccer fields and tennis courts that are very close to public transportation stations.
What alternative vehicle should you consider?
Micromobility isn’t a replacement for fitness, but it can be a great way to add some movement to your day.
Image credit: Christina Spinnen/Unsplash
HERC reports tell us that we are struggling to reach 5,000 steps in a day, when the ideal count is 10,000 steps. By walking or cycling to our destination, “we can burn off that extra energy.” If, for example, the supermarket is around the corner, leave the car behind to compensate for the lack of movement during the day.
Among the many electric and manual micromobility vehicles, Banicevic highly recommends cycling. The bike vote, of course, comes second to walking. “Manual bikes are driven by you, primarily with your lower body, which helps you change gears, so the power consumption is a little higher (than electrically assisted bikes). They’re great, but riding cycling cannot replace regular exercise and sports activities,” Banicevic explained.
As our expert says, the more manual the alternative chosen, the more calories you will burn. This also includes skating, which uses more energy than cycling, but can be risky. Scooters and electric bikes, however, are practical options if you’re traveling longer distances; Just know that the fitness benefits are negligible here.
Considering Dubai’s numerous bike and scooter lanes, having an alternative vehicle at your fingertips is even more reasonable. Be sure to read about all safety regulations as stipulated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), especially if you will be driving electric vehicles. Even electric bikes need a valid permit.
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1. Best Bike: ZiZZO Campo 20-Inch Folding Bike
Advantages
- The magnetic closure keeps the bike folded for added security.
- Folds in 30 seconds.
- Seven speeds with a grip style shifter
- All terrain tires
- Robust, durable and stable
Cons
- The seat does not have enough cushion
- without bell
Full-size bikes can support heavier and taller riders, but they take up a lot of space in the house. Folding bicycles, on the other hand, offer portability like electric scooters, with foldable power, pedals and frame, so you have no problem storing them in the trunk of the car, on the bus and wherever you go. Folding bicycles are also allowed in the subway. ZiZZO’s Campo bike is equipped with 20-inch all-terrain tires, a lightweight aluminum alloy stem, and seven speeds. It only weighs 13kg and is surprisingly strong enough to support a maximum user load of 108kg and a height of 190cm. The ergonomic saddle is wide for a comfortable ride, although some riders in reviews have had to add extra padding. According to buyers, the folding bike comes assembled and manages to fold and unfold quickly without problems. Users use it to go to work and fold it to store it under their desk.
Cousin: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh105.85 over 12 months with selected banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh86 and a two-year warranty for Dh121.
2. Best Skates: Rollerblade Zetrablade Women’s Adult Fitness Inline Skate
Advantages
- Great support with high cuff and secure buckle
- Padded lining for added comfort.
- Beginner wheels intended for riding at moderate speed.
- Offer a smooth ride
Cons
- Buckle strap may be shorter for some
Skating is the true definition of fitness on wheels. While restricted to certain urban spaces in Dubai, skating in parks or on the beach can be a welcome break from walking. “Skating uses both legs, where you switch from one to the other, at the same time requiring balance and coordination. There is greater involvement of the leg muscles,” Banicevic said. To master the city’s rugged terrain, you’ll need a pair of in-line wheels for easy maneuvering. The Zetrablade from Rollerblade is the ideal pair for casual and novice skaters. It has four 80mm high-performance wheels for moderate speed that can be improved with experience. New skaters will feel more support thanks to the high cuff, padded lining and secure cuff buckle. Reviewers choose them to change up their cardiovascular routine and find that the wheels run smoothly. Even cyclists aged 50 and older confirm support. Get Zetrablade in men’s sizes here.
Cousin: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh53.50 over 12 months with selected banks.
3. Best electric scooter: Ninebot Segway Max G30 KickScooter
Advantages
- Excellent speed stability, up to 30 kmph
- Long range of 65 km per charge
- Wheels don’t get punctured easily
- Three speed modes with pedestrian mode for walking
- Charges in six hours
Cons
Without a doubt, electric scooters are the most popular form of micromobility in the UAE. They are fast, tireless, battery-powered, and quite common among travelers. Our electric scooter repair expert praised the Ninebot Segway Max G30 model, making it our best overall model of 2023. It features one of the longest ranges on an electric scooter, so it can cover 65 km or several round trips to work, with a full charge. Choose from four speed modes depending on where you are, with the maximum being 30 km per hour. There are other advantages to this electrically assisted ride, such as a color LED display, Bluetooth connectivity, and headlights and taillights. And of course, it folds up easily for storage, although due to a larger battery, it’s heavier than most at 18.7kg.
Cousin: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh212.50 over 12 months with selected banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh171 and a two-year warranty for Dh242.
4. Best Scooter: GT-WHEEL Adult Scooter
Advantages
- Dual braking system with suspension wheels.
- Sturdy construction with adjustable height stem
- Rubber wheels are less likely to get punctures
- Light enough to carry
- Load capacity of 100 kg.
Cons
A manual scooter will help you more in the fitness department. You are engaging your lower leg muscles and core to reach your destination. There are also fewer maintenance requirements with a non-powered vehicle – it’s always within reach, whether loaded or not. The GT-WHEEL model is a sturdy folding scooter that supports up to 100 kg of user weight. Like an electric scooter, it folds in three steps and locks for easy transport. You can also adjust the stem according to your height. It has a double braking system made up of disc and rear brakes to guarantee a definitive stop when necessary. It even has double wheel suspension so you feel less vibrations during your ride. Please note that it does not have a bell.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh29 and a two-year warranty for Dh41.
5. Best Electric Bike: Yadea YF100 Folding Electric Bike
Advantages
- folding electric bike
- Safe speeds of 25 km per hour.
- Accelerator with pedals
- Seven speed gear
- The battery lasts up to 25 km; critics say it lasts longer
Cons
- Low load capacity of 80 kg.
Some may find it difficult to master electric scooters. This is where an electric bike with a motor comes in, so “rider involvement is reduced.” Banicevic tells us that while e-bikes can be great for avoiding traffic, they are not as effective as manual bikes in terms of fitness. Therefore, if you are looking to go slow and steady, without much effort on your part, then the Yadea YF100 is a great option. We love that it is foldable despite having a rear motor and a 25 km battery life. However, reviewers have gotten almost double the battery life. They also add that it is easy to enter and exit the Metro. The electric bike travels at safe speeds of 25 km per hour and you can change seven gears within that range. Another good news is that Yadea has a dedicated service center in Dubai for any future issues.
Cousin: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh145.75 over 12 months with selected banks.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh114 and a two-year warranty for Dh162.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to purchase through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission as we are part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
