Abu Dhabi: Residents cannot ride bicycles in Abu Dhabi parks anymore. Abu Dhabi Municipality has started to enforce an existing blanket ban on bicycles in all parks in the city, a senior official told Gulf News on Saturday.
"The blanket ban on bicycles was already there, but we have started to enforce it from now on," said Abdul Aziz Al Jeraishi, Director of Parks and Recreational Facilities Division at Abu Dhabi Municipality.
He said the ban was imposed for the safety of the families visiting the parks and to protect the grass, plants and flowers. "Sometimes, a gang of 15 to 25 young cyclists enter the parks and disturb the residents who come for a walk. These 'aggressive' cyclists also bump into walkers as the walkways cannot accommodate such large numbers of cycles," the official said.
He said the cyclists also ride on grass and damage the greenery in the parks. "So, it is in the public interest the we are strictly enforcing the existing ban," said Al Jeraishi.
The official disclosed that a proposal to permit children under six years of age with their small cycles, is under consideration. "We haven't taken a final decision, but we are studying the matter," he said.
Many residents welcomed the move, saying it will make the parks a better place to relax.
"Parks are not the right place for a cycle ride as the cyclists may lose control and crash into children," said Osama Khalid, an Emirati accounts manager at etisalat.
"Considering the damage to the greenery in parks, cyclists must be diverted to the areas like the corniche, where designated bike lanes are in place," said Khalid.
Another senior official told Gulf News that the number of cyclists using the designated bike lanes at the corniche has been increasing over the years.
"We are trying to encourage them," said Abdullah Al Shamsi, director of roads and infrastructure at Abu Dhabi Municipality.
But some children like three-year-old Daniyal Mustafa are upset over the ban. He is now compelled to ride his cycle within the confines of his building following the ban.
Have your say
Do you cycle as a means to work out? Do you like cycling indoors or prefer riding out? Why? Should dedicated areas be built for cycling? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
They are right that cycling in PARKS should be banned. But keeping in mind that children of 6 years and below come to PARKs for cycling. Officials should also think about them.
Khurram
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 11:07
Being a keen cyclists myself, I welcome the enforcement of the ban. We should only pedal on the designated lanes at corniche for example.
What about Dogs? should they be allowed on the parks? I now see an increasing number of dog owners frequenting family parks.
Nasser
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 10:40
If they are banning kids to cycle in the parks, then what are parks for? And if they say its not safe to cycle in a park, I believe its not safe at all to cycle along the corniche side. Instead of this ban, they should in every park a Side walk divided into 2 lanes, one for joggers and the other for cyclist and skaters.
If kids will not enjoy this in Parks they will then head to the streets and then whose responsibility this will be.
Ameera
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 09:56
What a ridiculous law.
Child obesity is something most countries are trying to discourage.
Diabetes and child obesity are big problems in the UAE, if my 3 year old wants to ride his bicycle its safer for him to do it in a park than on the Corniche where there is more chance he could lose control and fall onto the main road.
Lets just encourage our youngsters to eat fast food and sit in front of the television all day instead
Kevin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 08:17
This is completely ridiculous!! Is it ok that in a country where the weather only allows children outside for a small part of a year; we ban them from riding bicycles in the parks that were designed for them? Would you like to have your children inside all the time; in front of computers and TV? It can only be people without concern for children that talks like this. They need fresh air and sunshine as well as protection.
Sonja
Abu dHABI,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 05:02
