The Middle East’s first ever cycling store for women has opened in Dubai ­ catering to the huge amount of women now taking up cycling.

In the UAE there is a growing number of initiatives designed to increase cycling in the city such as the Dubai Tour, 92 Cycle Challenge and countless clubs and groups.

Now Liv Store, located at Box Park on Al Wasl Road, is opening its doors to women, who are often not catered for as much as men.

The aim for Liv is that it will not only be a cycle store but a place to meet with other female cyclists and get expert advice and information.

Bonnie Tu, known as the “Grandmother of Cycling” is the creator of the Liv brand and is very excited about launching in Dubai.

“Dubai is a city where Liv fits perfectly and we see it as a new benchmark city for the brand,” she said.

“The great weather, the fantastic cycling community and infrastructure all make it a cycling paradise. With Liv now operating in the city, it makes it even easier for female riders to get the best experience.”
Bonnie explained how Liv has been a passion for her since 2007.

She added: “The Liv name came from the Latin word that means “peace”, and that’s how I feel when I’m on a bike. I’m peaceful, happy and at home with my surroundings. I couldn’t believe it when all I could find to wear were small men’s cycling tops back in 2007 so to see Liv now at the forefront of female cycling is amazing.”

With new cycling tracks opening up across Dubai, such as the Dubai Cycling Course and Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park, as well as routes along many of Dubai’s beaches, the hope for Bonnie and the Liv team in Dubai is that more women and girls take up cycling.

Liv has grown on the idea of dedicating and catering for all types of female cyclists, from beginner level through to the elite rider.

Every cyclist will have a range of bicycles available at Dubai’s Liv store including entry-level road, mountain and commuter bikes and high-end offerings.

With the brand entirely managed by women, including bicycle engineers, gear designers and retail specialists, the Liv experience is something that has expanded rapidly.

Liv now has eight dedicated stores in eight cities across the world with the Dubai store the first in the Middle East. Since the brand’s launch, over 2,000 stores sell Liv bicycles and accessories.

Liv Cycling Store ­ Dubai, is a part of the Dubai Desert Extreme (DDE) Group that also own and operate Ride Bike Shops across the UAE and is very active in the cycling community. DDE are also the Official & Exclusive Distributor of Giant Bicycles across the region.

Co-Founder & CEO of DDE, Shahriar Khodjasteh, said: “We’re taking cycling in Dubai to the next level.

“We are making it more of an accessible sport to so many people. Cycling in the city is on the rise but it is important not to forget that so many women love this sport.

“With Liv, they now have nothing stopping them getting involved.”

Liv Dubai will shortly be starting women only community rides for all levels of cyclists as well as technical workshops and coaching sessions. Join our facebook page to keep up to date with all our news and events (www.facebook.com/LivCyclingME).