Dubai communities to have cycling tracks

The Board of Directors of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, recently approved a plan to construct cycling tracks stretching 52 km across 11 residential districts in Dubai at a cost of about Dh40 million.

“The construction of the cycling tracks is part of a master plan developed by the RTA to provide dedicated cycling spanning the entire Dubai Emirate in a bid to encourage the use of bikes as an environment-friendly transit means, as well as for the benefit of cycling enthusiasts. It also comes in implementation of RTA’s vision of Safe &  Smooth Transport for All as the advanced countries are focusing on raising the proportion of pedestrian & cycling travels since they involve traffic, health and environmental benefits,” said Al Tayer.

He continued: “The Cycling Tracks Plan 2013-2016 covers Al Barsha, Al Khawaneej, Al Warqa, Al Qouz, Al Safouh Road, Al Mamzar Park, Mushrif Park, Hor Al Anz East, and Mirdif. The selection of these districts was based on a number of parameters including the tourist and aesthetic nature of the area and its attraction to cyclists and residents of the neighbourhood, serving the metro and public transport stations, serving residents and visitors of neighbouring areas, suitability of the site & obstacles in place, traffic safety, and the appeal to pedestrians. The design of the track was tailored to ensure the security and safety of bikers.

“In 2008, the RTA developed a Cycling Master Plan that included charting routes for bikes within the rights-of-way as well as separate lanes. The plan detailed the specifications and standards of separating cycling tracks from pedestrian pathways, and addressed the intersection points with cycling tracks, provision of biking racks in general and at the public transport stations in particular, cycling lanes in entertainment areas, materials to be used in the construction of cycling tracks, and the signage for bikes and tracks,” elaborated Al Tayer.

“Under the plan, the RTA has completed the construction of more than 100-km-long cycling tracks; including 25 km-long cycling lane in Jumeirah Road and about one km-long lane near Mall of the Emirates Station in addition to some tracks provided by other entities such as the cycling lanes at Al Mizher Park and Al Mamzar Park.

“Among the key cycling tracks constructed by the RTA in 2012 is a 75-km-long track at Seih Assalam, named Dubai Cycling Course. The first part of this course stretches 18km alongside Al Qudra Road North. The route of this lane starts from the first R/A after the interchange of the Emirates Road and stretches up to the R/A where Bab Al Shams Road intersects with Al Qudra Road to link with the second Course, thus ensures continuity for long-distance cycling enthusiasts.

“The second cycling loop stretches about 49km, starting from the front of Bab Al Shams Hotel up to Al Qudra Road R/A, then turns southward alongside the road leading to Seih Assalam. The Course includes public utilities, and shops for hiring bikes, gears and accessories of this sport in addition to a fully equipped medical clinic,” he added.

“The RTA is currently constructing a 4.5-km-long track in central district of Bur Dubai, and has completed the designs of 4 tracks linking Jumeirah Road with 4 metro stations on the Sheikh Zayed Road and the construction will be undertaken as part of Miscellaneous Improvements Contract 2013. Additionally, the RTA has completed the construction of 1,400 bike racks around the metro stations.

“As the RTA is keen on nurturing a pedestrian-friendly environment in an effort to promote the use of public transport means, particularly the Dubai Metro, it provided extensive paved spaces for pedestrians at the entry points of the metro stations, and safe crossing means at the intersections in the vicinity of the entrances to the metro stations, besides paving pedestrian paths along the roads leading to the metro stations spanning a 500-metre-long radius around the centre of each station.

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