ABSTRACT
We aimed to study the behaviour of bicyclists in Al-Ain city so as to define the level of safety of cycling. 415 bicyclists were observed on the main roads of Al-Ain city over a period of 6 weeks.57% [236] of these observations were at day light hours and 43% [179] were during night. 99.5% [413] of bicycle riders were males. 97% [403] were adults, and 98% [407] were non-local, mainly from the Indian continent. In 91% [377] there was only one rideer while in 9% [38] there were two riders. 70% [289] were on the main road in contact with high speed vehicles while 30% [126] were on a side path or pavement. 54% [223] rode with the direction of traffic and 46% [192] against it. Only 0.5% [2] used helmets and 1% [2/179] used lights at night. Safety standards for bicycle riders in Al-Ain city are alarmingly low. These standards should be raised both by public education and law