Dubai Tram route will have cycling track

A cycling track will be constructed along the route of Dubai tram, Dubai's Road and Transport Authority revealed in a statement to Emirates 24|7.

Although not covering the entire length of the tram railway, the cycling track will reach all but one tram stations in the first stage of its development.

In November this year, the first phase of Dubai tram will be launched. Along a track of 10.6 kilometres, the tram will serve 11 stations in popular communities such as Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Jumeirah Beach Road (JBR), Dubai Marina and Al Sufouh area.

The cycling track will serve most of the areas penetrated by the tram network, and form a link between the stations along the route. “There will be no cycling track between stations 5-7, but all remaining stations are linked by the trail,” explained Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, Acting CEO of the Rail Agency at the RTA.

The track will function as a combined cycling track and pedestrian way in the areas of JLT, JBR and Dubai Marina, where a 3 metre wide track will be constructed along the railway from stations 1-5.

Starting with a 3-metre wide track at station 7, the track will then be narrowed to continue as a cycling-only track along stations 8-11, explained Abdullah.

Pierre Sironval, Managing Director at Besix / Six Construct (UAE), one of the contractors of the project said that in order to provide local access to the tram stations an integrated transportation plan has been developed. “Dubai Tram is a community transit mode, so it must be very accessible. The idea is that people can walk, ride, or drive to the nearest station.

At every tram station cycle racks will be installed, with capacity of 8-16 bicycles depending on the area, elaborated Abdullah.

Pedestrian access will be ensured through a number of facilities, such a footpath that will run along the tram alignment, and footbridges that will be constructed at stations 4, 6, 7, and 9.

Each station will also be facilitated with parking on drop off areas, added Abdulla. “A taxi lay-by and private vehicles drop off area will be available at each station, and depending on the station location a number of dedicated tram user parking slots will be provided.”

Dubai Tram will connect to two Metro stations, being Dubai Marina station and Jumeirah Lakes Towers station in addition to the Monorail at Palm Jumeirah.

Until now the official launch date has not been released, but the first ride is expected to be made in November 2014.

Click to read: Final stage of Dubai tram testing on

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