Parking slot for bikes: A need or waste?

A triangle-shaped patch of parking space amidst the normal parking slots is dedicated to motorcyclists in some clusters in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT). A brilliant idea, some people would say, while others find it a waste of space.

Although most residents in Dubai would avoid a ride on the two-wheeled transportation mode, especially as it does not offer any escape from the simmering heat in summer times, the motorcycle has its space on Dubai roads, as most restaurants rely on them for their delivery orders.

These motorbikes require parking space. In front of a building, an apartment or an office, delivering the food to the doorstep means that the bike should be parked, for at least several minutes until the delivery has been done. In these few minutes, road users may find it prevented them from finding a parking space.

“A motorbike can easily be parked on the pavement, or next to another vehicle. But I regularly find bikes parked in the middle of a parking spot meant for [bigger] vehicles. This is frustrating, because you just know that it is not going to be there for long,” said Sami Obaid, a Syrian resident living in Tecom.

However, delivery boys defend themselves claiming that this is the safest way to park, as they do not want to risk a fine for driving on the pavement, or any other place they could cause harm. Further, there are no parking spaces designated for the two-wheeler, which leaves them with little choice.

The designated parking space in JLT pays off. With little parking available for visitors to the area, delivery people would end up standing in line for a place to park, and the food would get cold. Reasonably, residents and employees do not mind the little space cut out for them.

However, the design is not a plausible one to be implemented in the rest of the emirate. “We are studying this option, but it is not likely to be beneficial,” said Adel al Marzouki, Director of Parking at the Road and Transport Authority (RTA).

“There are not many bikes in Dubai. People prefer to drive the car. Motorcycles are primarily used by delivery people, and they do not need to park for a long time. They take a few minutes to drop off an order and leave. Then the parking space is available again,” he argued.

Residents share different views. “Even if a bike is not taking up an entire spot, it may be parked between two spots which is equally frustrating, as it leaves little space for the driver to get out,” said Noor Kurdi, a Syrian resident in Discovery Garden. “Bikes should have designated parking spaces.”

“Many of these bikes are parked illegally in Bur Dubai,” reporter another resident who preferred not to be named. “It is a great nuisance.”

At the same time, residents would not like to give up their parking space to the motorcyclist. “If a designated parking space means less parking space for vehicles, I do not think this is a good idea. It is very difficult to find parking in front of my building, said Sami Obaid.

“Personally, I do not find it a problem when the motorcycle is parked on the pavement. In my eyes, this is the best option for delivery people.”

Earlier, Emirates 24|7 asked the RTA about the rules regarding parking for motorcyclists. Parking is illegal when a motorbike is parked in the middle of the car parking space, while it is accepted when the bike is put to rest on the side of the parking spot, next to or between the parked car(s).

However, rules do not really apply to motorbikes used for delivery, When these bikes are parked on car parking spots for a couple of minutes, this will be excused, the authority explained.

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