Abu Dhabi: A set of new kerbstone markings has many bikers in the capital concerned that they will soon have to pay to park their motorbikes.
The markings have shown up in neighbourhoods across downtown Abu Dhabi.
“Our company uses 50 motorbikes to deliver our products. If we must pay for parking, we need to know beforehand what the rates will be,” one distribution manager at a media firm told Gulf News. The firm uses up to 50 motorcycles on a daily basis.
Another manager at a popular Indian restaurant that has multiple branches across Abu Dhabi said his outlet alone makes up to 100 deliveries every day.
“We use motorcycles extensively for delivery as they can get past traffic congestion easily, and the biker does not have to look for parking everywhere he goes. This makes the process much easier and faster. If motorcycle parking suddenly becomes restricted to designated bays, then finding these spaces could become a hassle, in addition to the added cost implied by paid parking,” he said.
In a set of pictures sent to Gulf News, the new kerbstones have been marked in turquoise and black, similar to standard parking kerbstone colours for other vehicles. The road surface in these spaces features sketches of motorbikes. The bays appear narrower than those designated for other vehicles. Road signs have also been erected with instructions nearby on how bikers can pay for their parking, but the hourly rate is not specified.
The Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport (DMAT), which regulates transportation in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, however told Gulf News that bikers do not yet have to pay for parking as long as they do not block a full parking space. For now, bikes can be parked without charge between other vehicles.
“The objective is to provide standardised services, and based on this, [motorcycle parking] might become paid if needed. The rates will be published [when paid parking is announced],” the DMAT’s parking division, Mawaqif, said.
Across the city, Mawaqif has already set up 200 new motorcycle parking bays, and it is studying whether more are needed.
Asked whether restaurants or companies that use multiple bikes for delivery will be offered a special parking rate, the Mawaqif division said “this category is under consideration and suitable solutions will be provided” for them.
Some residents however welcomed the new designated motorbike bays.
“I like using my bike to get around the city, and find that most other motorists do not have any respect for a parked motorcycle. Often, they park so close that it is difficult for me to take my bike out, especially in areas like the Corniche,” said Omar Al Tamimi, 34, an Emirati sales manager and biking enthusiast.
“Designated bike bays would solve this problem. In addition, we sometimes receive parking fines even though the bike does not block other vehicles. So allocated bays would resolve this issue too, and I would have no qualms paying for them,” he added.
