Dubai: Dubai’s network of cycling tracks will expand further as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) starts work on the Dubai Cycling Track project.

The new track will extend for 21.2 kilometres and will connect with the existing cycle path at Seih Assalam.

The Dh32 million track will run along Al Qudra Road, heading towards Emirates Road before linking with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, all the way to Nad Al Sheba.

“The Dubai Cycling Track project has been initiated to cater to the needs of the public and identified in a comprehensive study commissioned by the RTA. The plan envisages the optimal utilisation of cycling paths constructed within the right-of-way, and adopting specific criteria for separating them from vehicular movement by using internationally recognised traffic signs,” said Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.

She added that the project epitomises several strategic goals of the RTA and is aimed at providing suitable alternatives to encourage Dubai residents to practise cycling as a hobby.

The RTA has constructed more than 150km of cycling paths across the emirate in the last couple of years, including a 25km cycling track at Jumeirah Road, an 11km cycling track in Bur Dubai, a 115km cycling path at Seih Assalam and Al Qudra Road comprising 10 rest points, facilities for hiring bikes and accessories, and a fully-fledged clinic.

RTA also opened a nine-km-long dedicated bikeway along the tramway following the opening of Dubai Tram in November last year. A section of the track is located between Al Sufouh station and Dubai Media City station, while a mixed-use track is built starting from Jumeirah Beach Residence station 1 all along the loop that circles around Dubai Marina up to Dubai Marina station.

Maitha said that RTA is currently studying several proposed cycling tracks, while construction of cycling tracks in 11 residential areas stretching 52km at a cost of Dh40 million has also been approved.

RTA has plans to build around 850km of dedicated bike paths as part of its Cycling Master Plan, that will be implemented in various phases.

Currently, work on phase four of the cycling master plan is under way, covering areas such as Al Sufouh, Al Mamzar Park, Hor Al Anz and Mushrif Park and is scheduled to be completed by 2016.