Recently, I noticed a signboard in Bur Dubai, which indicated that the authorities have officially permitted cycling on roads (as seen in the photograph). However, what I found missing was a set of rules for cyclists that need to be enforced strictly so that the activity is safe and enjoyable. Recently, I was near a parking lot in Bur Dubai at night, when I noticed a cyclist pass by in a hurry, almost bumping into a pedestrian. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet or a safety jacket and his bicycle did not have a light or reflectors.
I have often seen cyclists criss-crossing precariously among cars and people on the pavement or on the road. I have seen them mostly in the central old towns of Deira and Bur Dubai.
Cycling should be made safer with jackets and helmets made of reflective material and cyclists should carry lights and reflectors, especially during the night. At times, the load carried by a cyclist is too bulky, making the ride unstable and hazardous for people around.
Safety measures are a must for every cycle user. If cyclists fail to follow these measures, they become real hazards on the road with accidents waiting to happen. This may endanger the lives of the rider and pedestrians and even affect the traffic.
Without a set of rules and their strict enforcement, this activity is a sure hazard. Only a few cyclists adopt safety measures during the day, whereas at night virtually no one bothers. This can endanger the safety of everybody on the road and it cannot be ignored.
The reader is based in Dubai. Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
