Sheikh Zayed Road, by bike, on Sunday.
Dubai Ride closes the road to cars on Sunday 1 November. Riding costs nothing. The catch is the bib: no bib, no ride, and collection ends on Saturday night.
Three placesChecked 28 October 2026Prices in AED
Once a year, at the start of Dubai Fitness Challenge, Sheikh Zayed Road belongs to bicycles for a morning. Dubai Ride takes the 12km stretch past the Museum of the Future, the Dubai Water Canal and Burj Khalifa, with a shorter, flat family loop through Downtown. Both are free with registration and neither is a race.
The part that catches people out is the bib. It has to be collected in person at Zabeel Park between Wednesday 28 and Saturday 31 October, and without it there is no start. Do that first, then plan the morning.
Hours and prices change. Check with the venue before you go.
Step one, by Saturday night
Dubai Ride bib collection
No bib, no ride. Bibs and T-shirts are handed out at the Dubai Municipality 30x30 Fitness Village in Zabeel Park, which opens for the whole of Dubai Fitness Challenge and costs nothing to enter.
The facts
- Where
- Fitness Village, Zabeel Park, Gate 2
- When
- Wed 28 and Thu 29 Oct, 4pm to 11pm; Fri 30 Oct, 12pm to 11pm; Sat 31 Oct, 8am to 11pm
- Price
- No charge
- How to book
- Register first on dubaifitnesschallenge.com, then bring the registration QR code. A friend can collect with it
- Who it's for
- Everyone riding on Sunday, and whoever is collecting on their behalf
dubaifitnesschallenge.com (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @dubaifitnesschallenge
12km, no cars
Dubai Ride, Sheikh Zayed Route
Twelve kilometres of the city's main road with the traffic taken away, past the Museum of the Future, the Dubai Water Canal and Burj Khalifa. Five start gates spread the field, so the ride stays loose rather than a crush at one arch.
The facts
- Where
- Sheikh Zayed Road, from five start gates (Museum of the Future, Al Satwa, Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay, Lower Financial Street)
- When
- Sun 1 Nov. Arrive 4am to 6am; routes open 6:15am, last start 7:30am, routes close 8am
- Price
- No charge, registration required
- How to book
- Register on dubaifitnesschallenge.com and collect the bib at Zabeel Park by Sat 31 Oct, 11pm
- Who it's for
- Anyone who owns a road bike and has wondered what the road looks like empty. Not timed, 25km/h limit
dubaifitnesschallenge.com (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @dubaifitnesschallenge
4km, flat
Dubai Ride, Downtown Family Route
A flat 4km loop past Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa, set aside for children and first-timers. Children's bikes, seats and trailers are all allowed.
The facts
- Where
- Downtown Dubai
- When
- Sun 1 Nov, from 6:15am; routes close 8am
- Price
- No charge, registration required
- How to book
- Register on dubaifitnesschallenge.com. A parent or guardian can register up to three children and accepts the waiver for anyone under 18
- Who it's for
- Families with young riders, and anyone who would rather not do 12km
dubaifitnesschallenge.com (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @dubaifitnesschallenge
How the morning runs
The organisers recommend arriving between 4am and 6am, with lights on the bike if it is still dark. The routes open at 6:15am from five start gates along Sheikh Zayed Road: Museum of the Future, Al Satwa, Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay and Lower Financial Street. Everyone should be away by 7:30am, and the routes close at 8am. Finish at the gate paired with the one you started from.
It is not timed, and there is a 25km/h limit on the route. It may be cold before sunrise and warm by the finish, so dress in layers.
Getting there
Bikes are not allowed on the Metro, and parking near the start gates is limited. Route maps go to registered riders before the day, so plan the journey once they arrive. RTA road-closure times had not been published when we checked.
The small print
Helmets and closed sports shoes for everyone, children in seats and trailers included. Pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed; electric scooters, motorbikes and other motorised vehicles are not. No pets and no large bags. There is no bag drop, no changing area and no bike hire at the event, so bring your own bike or rent one from a shop beforehand. Toilets are at the start and finish gates, with water stations and bike mechanics along the route. A registration cannot be edited: to change a start gate, cancel and register again.
How we checked
Every fact here comes from the venue's own website, menu, booking page or Instagram, or from the Michelin Guide and official listings. Nobody paid to be in this guide, and nobody knew we were writing it. If something has changed, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it. How we pick a place →
Photos
- Lead photo: @dubaifitnesschallenge
- Dubai Ride bib collection: @dubaifitnesschallenge
- Dubai Ride, Sheikh Zayed Route: @dubaifitnesschallenge
- Dubai Ride, Downtown Family Route: @dubaifitnesschallenge
