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RAKBANK, which is hosting a cycling event on 6 March in Ras Al Khaimah called RAKBANK Ride, is encouraging its participants to take up cycling in line with the nation’s effort to become more environmentally friendly this year. As heavy energy consumers with multiple cars per family in the UAE, it’s becoming easier for Dubai residents to leave their cars at home thanks to the recent addition of the Dubai Tram and Byky stands as well as Dubai Metro’s huge reach across the city. As a result, a growing number of companies are looking at cycling as one of the ways to improve the well-being of their staff and consequently, their performance and attendance rates.

According to Peter England, RAKBANK CEO, “’Car Free Day’ is a great initiative by Dubai Municipality which reminds residents of our shared responsibility in reducing carbon footprint. We at RAKBANK encourage our employees to pedal to work when they can because not only does it promote a greener environment, but it also improves physical strength and increases productivity at the workplace by calming the mind.” This week RAKBANK held a ‘Corporate Health Day’ at their Dubai headquarters in coordination with its Insurance Provider, Amity, to check staff’s blood pressure and blood sugar, evaluate body mass index, and screen dental hygiene. Giant Bike, a leading bicycle brand, was also present at the ‘Corporate Health Day’ to explain to Bank staff the health plusses that come with cycling.

Many employees at RAKBANK are already convinced of cycling’s benefits. Jayakumar Ramasamy, Internet Banking Manager at RAKBANK, cycles to work regularly during the cool UAE seasons. “It keeps me healthy, gives me a good night’s sleep, and is my small contribution towards the UAE’s ‘go green’ initiatives,” said Ramasamy. Jay Mahendar, Service Quality Officer at RAKBANK, finds that cycling to work is a perfect start to the day to gear up the body for a long day at the office, while cycling back home does away with the work stress. Sultan Khalifeh, the branch manager of the Bank’s Al Quoz branch in Dubai, is a keen cyclist and even though he would love to pedal to work, the distance between his home and work was is not fit for cycling. “Instead, every week, my friends and I ride our bikes in Al Qudra in Dubai. We ride for a distance of 50km,” Khalifeh said. 

Good health is not something we can buy but it is an extremely valuable savings account. It is health that is the real wealth, so get the pedal to the metal, shift up a gear, and make the UAE greener whilst improving your health!

Cycling enthusiasts across the UAE are invited to register at: http://www.premieronline.com/event/The_RAKBANK_Ride_1248