Sharjah
I wanted to raise a rather serious issue. Nowadays, to promote reduction of pollution, people are using more bicycles. But, the issue is that these cyclists ride in the middle of main roads. Sometimes, cars are travelling at a rather high speed and a cyclist would be riding next to them. Thus, the motorists have to slow down or brake suddenly.
I have seen motorists getting angry and sounding the car’s horn at the cyclists when they cross the road. In turn the cyclists also become angry. But, I believe that the entire fault does not lie with the cyclists or the motorists. The issue lies with the road system.
I think there should be a dedicated cycling track along the pavement. This way, the cyclists will not get onto the road. Cyclists cannot ride their cycles on the pavement. Many obstacles come up on the way and I think it is also against the law.
Avinash, a Sharjah resident whose full name is withheld on request, said: “Due to cars moving at a fast speed and lack of place to ride the cycles, we cannot even think of riding, though cycling is a good form of exercise. If we get the option to ride a cycle, we can go to neighbourhood shops for groceries without taking out the cars and save fuel. Cycles are a useful mode of transport!”
Jancy J., another Sharjah resident, agreed.
She said: “There should be encouragement to use eco-friendly modes of transport. However there should be strong measures taken so that the cycles are not permitted onto the highways. Also there should be safe road practices and proper safety measure taken if cycling tracks are being created in residential areas.”
— The reader is a student based in Sharjah.
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FACTBOX
According to a Gulf News report published in September 2016, there is a Dh300 fine for not cycling on the designated bicycle track, if one is available. Additionally, there is a Dh500 fine for cycling on a road with a speed above 60km/h.
