Dubai: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has earmarked 100 locations for parking bicycles in key areas across the emirate.
"RTA intends to provide parking spaces for bicycles near all metro stations in a bid to enhance the integration of the Dubai Metro with other transit modes in the emirate. In an advanced phase of the project, all the metro stations will be integrated with the dedicated cycling tracks," Nasir Abu Shehab, Director of Strategic Planning, RTA Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, said.
"All areas served by the cycling tracks will be fitted with bike stands, including key areas such as the Gold Souk, abra marinas, Al Shindagha area, Al Fahidi Museum and Al Bastakiya area," Abu Shehab said.
The move aims to reduce reliance on private vehicles for travelling particularly short distances while introducing additional mobility in a planned manner.
Reasons
"The provision of cycle stands is a vital requirement that has to be addressed... in an effort to eliminate haphazard parking of bicycles at unsuitable locations such as tying them to light poles, traffic signals and trees.
"[Such] a practice inflicts damage to public properties, blocks visibility of motorists and road users, occupies walkways and obstructs pedestrian movement and distorts the general appearance of the area, particularly the tourist destinations," Abu Shehab said.
The RTA has finalised studies encompassing the construction of cycling tracks with an overall length of about 900 kilometres under five phases which are scheduled for completion by 2020.
The trial run of the project has started in some key spots in Dubai such as along the roads in Jumeirah, Dubai Academic City, Nad Al Sheba and Al Mankhool in addition to the Creek Corniche.
Work has been completed in the construction of cycling tracks — extending 12 kilometres — along Jumeirah Street, while work in other phases will proceed as per RTA's plan. The RTA aims to complete work on tracks under the trial phase extending 32 kilometres.
How helpful do you think the bike stands will be for cyclists in the city? Which other facilities are most needed to encourage more people to take up cycling?
