Police warn bicyclists to stay off main roads

Al Ain Police have warned bicyclists to stay away from the main streets and follow the safety regulations in the city. The warning was issued yesterday due to the rising number of accidents involving bicyclists.

The traffic police have recently noticed an increase in accidents involving bicycles from different nook and corners of the Oasis city. "We have been taking measures to control it," said a senior police officer at Al Ain Traffic Police Department.

Bicycle is an efficient and cheap mode of transport which is popular among expatriates who use it to cover short distances. They are, however, not allowed to come on the high speed roads as it posses threats to their lives and those of others.

Majority of the bicyclists, said the officer, is disobeying the safety regulations and peddle along the high speed traffic on main roads. "This is dangerous and not acceptable and we'll take strict action against such bicyclists," he warned.

The officer said many parents also allow their children, between the ages of 8 years and 15 years, to ride bicycles without any supervision.

"These children wear no safety gear and often venture out to the streets outside residential areas," he said, adding that parents must educate their children and control them from unruly behaviour.

Meanwhile, residents of the city have also asked the traffic police and civic administration to add sidewalks for bicyclists when planning new road in the city.

"In the past safety drives, police confiscated cycles of many people but this is not the solution," said Munir Ahmad, an expatriate.

The police and municipality must accept cycles in the city and provide safe riding spaces since it's a healthy, cheap and environment friendly mode of transport, he added.

Sultan Ali, another expatriate resident, said: "I am sure that the new roads will have some space for cyclists."