German bike shop owner Wolfi on how UAE infected bikes

When a young German started selling bicycles in the corner of his brother’s repair shop, he had no idea that decades later he would be seen by many as the face of bicycles from afar.

However, this is how Wolfgang Hohmann started his career, coming to Dubai 20 years ago, where he opened his first store in the UAE.

Since then, he has sat in the front seat watching the surge in interest in cycling across the country, which has led to the UAE being seen as the sport’s international hub.

The situation today is very different from when he first arrived in Dubai.

“When I first came here in 2002, I had a 40-foot shipping container with half furniture and half bikes,” says Wolfgang, 50.

“I opened the container in front of the first store on Sheikh Zayed Road and walked into an empty showroom, and that was the beginning of it all for me.”

The shop, known to everyone in the Dubai cycling community, is the first of four he is now opening in the UAE.

Cycling infrastructure was in its infancy at that time.

“At the time, the facilities were not what we have now. There were few people living here and very little interest,” he said.

“I remember our first riding team, Dubai Sports Cars, we had maybe five or six people.

“Now in Dubai, if you just look at the Al Qudra circuit, there are thousands of cyclists on the weekends and people have to arrive around 5am to make sure they find a parking space.

“It’s almost like listening to a concert every week when you see so many people gathered in one place.”

The UAE today is renowned in the global cycling world for its investment in the sport, with more facilities being added every year.

Dubai plans to expand the emirate’s cycle paths from 463 kilometers to 759 kilometers by 2026. Dubai City Master Plan 2040planning paths for 29 urban areas.

Abu Dhabi plans to build a 109-kilometer cycle path called Abu Dhabi Ring Roadand a 3,500-seat speedway that will be built in hudariat i..

The emirate also received the honour of being named a cycling city by the International Cycling Union (UCI) last year, becoming the first location in the Middle East and Asia to achieve such status.

Years ago, when Wolfgang first came to Dubai from Freiburg, Germany, his interest in cycling was completely different.

He said his personal mission was to convince people to take part in the campaign.

“I think it took almost 10 years to make it work,” he said. “I tell people who love to ride a bike, just take one person with them to a cycling group, and it just grows from there.

“That’s how the business grew. There was no Facebook or Instagram back then.

“I’m very proud to help build a community and play a role in bringing people into the sport.”

During the pandemic, with most public events banned due to restrictions, cycling has a reputation.

“If Covid-19 has any winner, I’d say the sports industry,” Wolfgang said.

“Many gyms and other activities are closed to most people. Demand for items like bikes and indoor sneakers is unbelievable.

“It really confirms the importance of exercise and how it helps people survive.”

He added that a large part of the surge in interest in cycling in the UAE is due to these facilities.

“The best cyclists in the world come here to use these tracks and they are amazed at the quality,” Wolfgang said.

“Nowhere else in the world are there so many bike lanes of this size that you can ride with your friends.

“The community will only continue to grow.”

Updated: 10/3/2022 4:18AM