Al Khor
As the temperature dips and the weather turns pleasant ahead of the winter, a lot of people in Qatar are going cycling — thanks to a cycling ‘super highway’.
The Olympic Cycle Lane, which connects Al Khor to Doha, has brought two Guinness World Records to Qatar — one for the “Longest Continuous Cycling Path” and the other for the “Longest Piece of Asphalt Concrete Laid Continuously”.
While the 33-km path is already a hit among professional cyclists and running enthusiasts, it is also proving to be a major draw for casual cyclists, joggers and others who look to incorporate some exercise into their daily lives.
Constructed by the Public Work Authority (Ashghal), the lane is 7 metres wide, features 29 tunnels and five bridges, and is designed to allow speeds up to 50 km per hour.
With the safety of riders in mind, the path is completely isolated from the traffic.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, a member of a group of cyclists in Al Khor said, “Cycling through such a beautiful track constructed with international standards is a unique experience.”
One a weekend, he said, the group comprising seven would cover the distance between Al Khor and Qatar University in Doha.
To encourage cycling at night, Ashghal implemented 1,450 street lamps along the path.
