Ali Al Hammadi loves to go fast. He rides high-speed motorcycles. He floats over desert sand on his ATV. But his favorite? Cruising the streets and trails of Abu Dhabi on his electric unicycle. That’s right, a unicycle. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill, seen-at-the-circus unicycle. No, it’s a high-tech, battery-powered e-unicycle capable of doing over 55 miles per hour. If that’s not adrenaline-pumping enough for you. He adds one more element to the mix: Riding at night.
“We actually prefer to ride at night, said Al Hammadi, 35, from his garage where he sat amongst his collection of gear and vehicles. “It’s less crowded and fewer people are walking (on the bike trails). It’s more safe for us and other riders. We can go faster.”
Safety is a top priority
Al Hammadi is serious about safety. It’s easy to see why. When you’re doing close to 60 mph on an electric unicycle, one mistake, distraction or even someone accidentally walking in front of you can lead to a serious crash. Along with a helmet and protective gear for his body, Al Hammadi said ensuring he’s visible to pedestrians and drivers is as important.
“I never ride without my lights,” he said. “I always keep two and a spare. I put one on my unicycle and one on my right arm.” The light of choice? Guardian Angel Elite Series™. But why? Al Hammadi said he prefers GA safety lights for several reasons. For starters, the 360° light pattern makes him visible from all sides as he and his friends race down bike paths in the evening. But as important to him is the durability and battery life. For Al Hammadi, an extended battery life is critical, given his rides take him all over the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and can last for several hours.
“The batteries never hit empty. That’s what I really like. I’ve tried lower-quality, cheaper lights but they run out of battery and aren’t as bright.” If you want to get a taste of what it’s like to ride an electric unicycle at such fast speeds, be sure to follow Al Hammadi on Instagram at @euc_uae.
