wellness
Business Bay Residents Form Free Walking Groups Along Canal
Business Bay residents along the canal are forming small walking groups to meet daily step goals without gym fees or complicated schedules.
How we reported this
Three new walking groups began meeting last week near the Dubai Water Canal in Business Bay, with participants logging routes that start at the Business Bay Metro station and loop past the Executive Towers.
Interest has grown because many residents work long hours in the district's office towers and want low-cost ways to stay active close to home instead of driving to distant facilities. The canal paths offer flat, shaded stretches that suit beginners and experienced walkers alike, and groups can finish sessions before the morning commute peaks.
Pick a route and set a simple schedule
Start by mapping a 30-minute loop that uses the canal promenade from Bay Square to the Business Bay Bridge and back. The Business Bay Residents Committee already posts suggested paths on its notice boards at the metro entrance, and the Dubai Sports Council lists free group permits that cost 50 AED for a three-month block. Meet at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays or 7 p.m. on weekends so working residents can join without rearranging their days.
Keep the first sessions to 4,000 steps and invite neighbours through the building WhatsApp groups at the Executive Towers and the Al Abraj Street apartments. One organiser from the Canal Walk Initiative reported that groups of eight to ten people maintain attendance better than larger crowds because everyone can be heard during conversation.
Track progress and add small incentives
The Dubai Health Authority recorded that adults in the Business Bay area averaged 4,800 daily steps in its 2025 community survey, below the 7,500-step target linked to lower blood pressure. Groups that log steps on a shared phone app and celebrate every 50,000 collective steps with a free coffee at a Bay Square café have kept members returning for six weeks or longer.
After four weeks, add one longer Saturday route that crosses into the adjacent design district green space and returns via Al Habtoor City. Contact the Business Bay Residents Committee at its monthly meeting on the second Tuesday to request a printed route map and a safety briefing from local police volunteers. New groups that register by the end of July can join the district's August walking challenge at no extra cost.