UAE | Traffic and Transport

Dubai Metro stations to have bicycle parking spaces

Authorities will construct as many as 3,000 bicycle parking spaces for Dubai Metro users

  • By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 January 24, 2012
  • Gulf News

The RTA is encouraging the use of bicycles with the construction of parking spaces
  • Image Credit: Pankaj Sharma/Gulf News
  • The RTA is encouraging the use of bicycles with the construction of parking spaces at Dubai Metro stations. The move also aims to avoid unruly and haphazard parking of bicycles near the stations, damaging public property.

Dubai: Authorities will construct as many as 3,000 bicycle parking spaces for Dubai Metro users, by the first quarter of this year, it was announced yesterday.

The move comes in a bid to avoid unruly parking of bicycles such as by tying them to trees, light poles or traffic signals, Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said yesterday.

"Such practices inflict damage to public property, block visibility for motorists and road users, and distort the general appearance of neighbourhoods, particularly in tourist areas," she said.

Parking spaces for bicycles will be constructed near stations along both Red and Green Lines. The parking spaces have been designed in a way that makes them accessible and easy to use, according to the RTA. The decision is a step forward in enhancing integrated public transport systems in Dubai, she said.

Promoting use

Maitha urged residents to use bicycles, particularly for short trips, as they help ease heavy usage of vehicles and thereby reduce environmental pollution.

"The project comprises the construction of about 3,000 bike stands near the Metro stations. Phase 1 of the project was completed earlier, with 212 stands built at eight stations on the Red Line," she said.

These include 96 parking spaces at Al Rashidiya Station, 16 at Khalid Bin Al Waleed Station, 32 at Jafliyah Station, 16 at Financial Centre, 32 at Mall of the Emirates Station, 16 at Ibn Battuta Station, and about four stands at Nakheel Station.

"RTA has completed the construction of bases for about 1,200 new stands on the Red Line stations and has planned to complete them by the first quarter of this year." Maitha added. Phase 2 of the project, which involves construction of bases for about 1,100 parking spaces on Green Line stations, will begin later.

In future, all Metro stations will be integrated with dedicated cycling tracks, said Nasser Abu Shehab, Director of Strategic Planning, at RTA's Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector.

‘Vital requirement'

"The provision of cycle stands is a vital requirement that has to be addressed in an effort to eliminate haphazard parking of bicycles at unsuitable locations," he said.

The RTA has finalised studies for the construction of cycling tracks with an overall length of about 900km under five phases, scheduled for completion by 2020. The project's trial run has started in key spots such as the streets of Jumeirah and Al Mankhool.

Comments (5)

  1. Added 15:41 January 24, 2012

    It's very good decision because it will good effect on the health of cycle users. they can reduce their heart disease and high cholestorle, etc. it is really amazing

    QADEER NAWAZ, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 13:02 January 24, 2012

    I agree, this is a well commended effort on the part of Dubai authorities. It will greatly ease up the traffic condition when people start to use their bicycles. I just really hope that Abu Dhabi will do the same. I don't mind using my bicycle going to work if we have a dedicated lane for bicycles only.

    Guerrero, Lagman, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 11:53 January 24, 2012

    Very good approach by RTA, hats off, but before that we do need a Bicycle track, so people can ride their bike more and be healthy at the same time. Keep up the good Job RTA.

    Imran Hussain, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 11:26 January 24, 2012

    I hope the Abu Dhabi authorities also do the same move, encourage resident to use bicycles and allocate a space in the road for a bike lane. Traffic is not that busy compared to Dubai.

    Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 09:33 January 24, 2012

    This is a good move, but if authorities are seriously considering encouraging people to use cycle for shorter distances they should make it safer for people who use it and others around them. There should be a separate cycle lane which will be safer for the user and will avoid disturbance on the roads.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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