Cycling is on the rise in Dubai, and a number of new initiatives are set to encourage it even further. 

Due to growing numbers of cyclists in recent years, Dubai has recently revealed plans to transform its city into a more cycling-friendly one. Authorities in Dubai are implementing safety measures and new laws that will make it easier for cyclists to travel and move around the city. 

New Initiatives

Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have and planned new legislation and initiatives in an effort to create more areas for cyclists to cycle freely and to offer further support to the growing demand for cycling as a sustainable means of transport. 

The objectives of the Dubai Traffic Strategy 2021 aim to reduce both road fatalities and Dubai’s carbon emissions. In line with similar initiatives in large cities such as London and Los Angeles, Dubai has also introduced a pay-as-you-ride bicycle scheme in collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RAT). 

In order for a city to develop as a cycling-friendly one, it is important that the appropriate standards and policies are introduced to support and protect a cycling culture where bicycles are made more accessible for daily use. In line with this the city of Dubai offers cycling communities and groups that are willing to teach residents the ins and outs of cycling around the city. These groups cater for both amateurs and near-pro's. 

Image by Kevin Lehtla.

New Lanes

Dubai has also made plans to build a new 16km cycling lane that will be built right along the city’s Jumeirah Beach. The Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai have decided that this new cycling track will pave the way for changing the way people live and travel in the city. 

The ultimate goal is to increase the emirate’s bike lanes to a total of 739km by 2026. This bike lane will be linked to the Jumeirah Street cycling track which is adjacent to the Dubai Water Canal along with the current track alongside King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street, in the heart of the city. 

The first section of the lane will have a width of four metres that will stretch alongside the beach which is right alongside existing tracks for walking and running. This track will extend from the Dubai Water Canal to Umm Suqeim Park. The second section, with a width of three metres, runs alongside Jumeirah Street and King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street which is right at the end of Dubai’s Internet City. This is an ideal destination as the local neighbourhoods surrounding it include some of Dubai’s best leisure spots, including the Dubai Sailing Club, Sunset Mall and Open Beach. The Director of the RAT implemented these new routes to ensure that cyclists are able to reach out and link to vital areas of Dubai. 

Currently, 436km of new cycling tracks have been laid since the end of 2020. These new tracks will help the city plan and reduce its carbon emissions by 16% and will successfully help Dubai establish one of the world’s lowest carbon footprints as a result. 

New Bikes

Over 800 pedal-assisted bikes are currently ready to be used in the city and they can easily be hired through a connected mobile phone. Riders can rent a bike for no more than 60 minutes at a time. These bikes are great even for new or weekend cyclists as they contain electric motors, making them easier to ride as they power up automatically the minute you start pedaling. *Riders have to be at least 15 years of age to ride and will need to wear a helmet at all times. 

Cycling companies have partnered with the RTA to develop a bicycle-friendly culture within Dubai and they will set up over 1,750 rentable bikes and 175 charging stations in Dubai over the next couple of years in order to achieve this goal. The city's carefully designed cycling tracks are perfect for beginners, seasoned cyclists, and families. Consequently Dubai is at the forefront of establishing and promoting approaches to moving around a city that promote sustainability and a healthier lifestyle. While making sure that cycling is a safe, convenient and popular transportation option within the city. 

Vonder is proud to now be able to call Dubai home - we recently opened two new co-living locations in the city in 2021 and we are looking forward to being a part of the ever-changing and evolving face of life in the Emirates.