UAE | Traffic and Transport

RTA plans to introduce 900km of cycling lanes

First phase of laying tracks has already begun

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter, Gulf News
  • Published: 00:00 November 30, 2009
  • Gulf News

Beat the congestion
  • Image Credit: Javed Nawab, Gulf News
  • Part of the cycle track on Al Rigga Road in Deira is up and ready for use. It is connected to the Dubai Metro station.

Dubai: After launching the Dubai Metro and ultra-modern public buses, the focus is now on promoting cycling — yet another mode of transport specially to cover short distances.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has plans to have more than 900km of cycling tracks in the city. The tracks will be laid in phases over the next 10 years. However, some 157km long cycling tracks, including 70 km in Bur Dubai and 57 km in Deira, will be built on a priority basis. Work on the first phase of laying tracks on important roads has already begun.

Some of the major roads which will have dedicated tracks in near future include: Shaikh Zayed Road (service road), Al Mankhool Road, Al Rigga Street and Al Diyafah Street. The RTA has also laid part of the cycling track on Al Rigga Street and it is connected to the Al Rigga Metro Station. The 14km-long Jumeirah Road already has a cycling track and it will have marking on the road soon.

"We have started work on building the tracks in the areas that have relatively greater cyclist population," said Abdul Mohsin, Chief Executive Officer of the RTA's Strategy and Corporate Governance.

Mohsin told Gulf News that there was a huge cycling population in the congested Central Business District (CBD) areas of Deira and Bur Dubai. "We will either have dedicated cycling tracks or just marking on the roads to provide safe passage to cyclists in these areas," he added. The RTA will also initially build some 2,000 parking stands along the tracks to provide parking facilities for bicycles.

The parking spaces will be increased to 6,000 over the next 10 years.

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"Our aim is provide safe cycling facilities in the city in a bid to encourage more people to use cycles to cover short distances and avoid using cars," Mohsin added.

He said that the RTA ha s also recommended to the Federal Government to amend some laws allowing more freedom to cyclists and to provide them with greater safety.

Conditions: Law on riding bicyles

The UAE's Federa1 Law No. 21 of 1995, along with Ministerial Order No.130 of 1997, addresses the legislative requirements for the use of bicycles.

Article I6 of the Law states that a cyclist shall ride bicycle on the right side of the road and is prohibited from riding their bicycle on sidewalks. They shall use the cycle tracks if available. Currently, it is prohibited to ride bicycle on main roads for safety reasons.

Would you be opting for cycling for your everyday commute? What are the problems you face currently? What would you suggest to encourage residents to take up cycling?

Comments (13)

  1. Added 07:10 December 1, 2009

    It is very good step taken by the RTA. I request the RTA to plant trees on both side of the cycle track like done in China. If extended to Sharjah, it will be 10 minutes ride from Deira to Sharjah.

    Latif C. M., Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 17:09 November 30, 2009

    Very good initiative by RTA! However just 1 comment, why did RTA bans cycles in the Dubai metro?? In other countries you can ride your bike to metro station, take the metro with your bike (sometimes you pay an extra fee) and get off and keep cycling whenever you want. I kindly request RTA officials to reconsider their bike ban decision in the Dubai Metro.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 16:54 November 30, 2009

    I am very much in favour of this move. It will help residents in many ways, by saving time, avoiding traffic frustration, cycling is good for health. People will definaly use it even in peak summer for travelling short distance.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 14:45 November 30, 2009

    Its a great step taken by Dubai govt to construct separate track for cyclists. i will be using cycle as a daily travelling medium since its the only pollution free vehicle.But saftey must assured while riding cycles because other vehicles doesn't consider cycle as a vehicle and proper track should be built.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 12:14 November 30, 2009

    It is defenitly an encouraging movement by RTA. This will defenitely reduce the traffic in areas like Burdubai, Deira and Karama. For short distance people will start to use cycles during Nov-Feb of an year. Due to the hot weather this may reduce in rest of the months. The two basic negative points were the weather and the lack of dedicated lines in the roads. If RTA could make the dedicated lines which will make the travelling safe this would defenilty encourage more and more people to use the cycle. Remember in Europe where the fuel prices high people are using the cycles irrespective of a position and money they have. definitly they have the advantage of weather.

    Anup Kumar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 11:10 November 30, 2009

    Congratulations to Abdul Mohsin and the planners at RTA, this is a positive step in the right direction. It's unfortunate that cycling seems to have been left out of the initial planning process for the roads in Dubai but also very encouraging that the RTA is making efforts to accommodate cyclists and encourage healthier lifestyles. The general public should be given a chance to review and comment on a comprehensive Master Cycling Plan for Dubai. Cycle paths don't have to be dedicated asphalt tracks running alongside main roads, safety is what matters and a safe cycling lane can be added to many of the roads in Dubai simply though minor adjustments to lane widths and clearly demarcated bicycle lanes.

    Lindsay Gowler, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 10:55 November 30, 2009

    Wow, thats great news for all cycle lovers like me. It is also safest mode of transportation. Also, one of the best environmentaly mode of transportation. Last but not least, good excercise and will improve UAE's Health record. I will definately have one Cycle for me.

    Anonymous, Mumbai, India

  8. Added 09:38 November 30, 2009

    good step. but why deira and bur dubai only? jumeirah area reaching all the way to new dubai (marina, barsha, greens & ibn batuta area) should have a an integrated cylcing network that can support both transport and cycling as a hobby. this will be useful to get to the metro, transport within the areas and have a good morning exercise. it is a pitty this was not done since the beginning of all those residential projects. hope RTA will do now.

    Wajdi A. Hadi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 09:36 November 30, 2009

    Opening cycling tracks would sure be a welcome move for many. I just hope that the officials have thought the track routes carefully before laying them. the biggest threat from such tracks are the pedestrians, who start using such tracks posing threat to them as well as cyclist , and which should be closely monitored by the authorities. An even bigger concern is crossing the roads and roundabouts on cycling tracks, how would it afftect the main road traffic signal and the pedestrian crossing signals. Clear right of way definition might at some point become necessary and which should be considered by the authorities at the onset.

    Abhishek Kishore, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  10. Added 09:35 November 30, 2009

    Its good to hear that cycle track are to be built in dubai, but the time of ten year for 900 km is too long period, the athourities must try to finsh the work in the shortest possible time, as city of dubai has lot of pepole riding cycle as the mood of cheapest transport and also there are pepole who ride for work & excercise, but there must be a seprate cycle parking for them.

    Qaderi M Azhar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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