Dh40 million project to be completed by 2016
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Dubai: Cycling enthusiasts in Dubai are in for a treat as projects to
build new tracks across 11 locations in the city have been launched, the Roads
and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.
The announcement from RTA comes close on the heels of opening a 75-km
long Dubai Cycling Course in Seih Assalam, part of a cycling master plan that
includes a 25km track in Jumeirah as well as smaller tracks near Mall of the
Emirates, Al Mamzar Park and Al Mizhar Park.
Apart from these tracks, RTA is currently constructing a 4.5-km-long
track in the central district of Bur Dubai, and has completed the designs of
four tracks linking Jumeirah Road with four Metro stations on Shaikh Zayed
Road. Additionally, the authority has completed the construction of 1,400 bike
racks around all Metro stations.
Following the successful implementation of the first phase of the
cycling master plan, RTA has now approved construction of cycling tracks in 11
residential areas stretching 52km at a cost of Dh40 million.
“The construction of the cycling tracks is part of a master plan
developed by RTA to provide dedicated cycling spaces across the entire Dubai
emirate in a bid to encourage the use of bikes as an environment-friendly
transit means, as well as for the benefit of cycling enthusiasts,” said Mattar
Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA.
Work on the new cycling tracks will begin this year and will be
completed by 2016.
Residential areas like Al Barsha, Al Khawaneej, Al Warqa, Al Quoz, Al
Safouh Road, Al Mamzar Park, Mushrif Park, Hor Al Anz East, and Mirdif, have
been selected for the project.
Al Tayer said the areas were selected based on various parameters
including their popularity with tourists and their aesthetic nature. The areas
are also frequented by cyclists and serve the Metro and public transport
stations.
“The design of the tracks has been tailored to ensure the security and
safety of bikers and the locations have been selected keeping in mind the
convenience of residents and visitors to the areas, suitability of the site,
traffic safety, and the appeal to pedestrians,” added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer said that since 2008 RTA has developed a Cycling Master Plan
that included charting routes for bikes within the rights-of-way as well as
separate lanes.
The Plan detailed the specifications and standards of separating cycling
tracks from pedestrian pathways, and addressed the intersection points with
cycling tracks, provision of biking racks in general and at the public
transport stations in particular, cycling lanes in entertainment areas,
materials to be used in the construction of cycling tracks, and signage for
bikes and tracks.
So far the biggest of the cycling projects constructed by the RTA has
been the 75-km-long Dubai Cycling Course. The first part of this course stretching
18km alongside Al Qudra Road North was opened in January. The second part of
the course, which was opened in March, stretches about 49km, starting from the
front of Bab Al Shams Hotel up to Al Qudra Road roundabout, then turns
southward alongside the road leading to Seih Assalam.
The course includes public utilities and shops for hiring bikes, gear
and accessories in addition to a medical clinic.
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