RTA plans dedicated lanes for bicycles

DUBAI — The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said that tracks specially dedicated to bicycles would be operational in four areas of the emirate soon.

By Joy Sengupta (Our staff reporter)

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Published: Mon 31 Mar 2008, 8:35 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 6:52 PM

Senior officials of the Public Transport Agency of the RTA told Khaleej Times that 'Priority' lanes, or lanes for public buses would be made operational in a way enabling the commuters to reach their destinations even quicker than people travelling in their personal cars.

The officials added that they were in the process of finalising the four areas for cycle lanes.

They added that the whole plan regarding lanes for both buses and bicycles were in the designing stage at the moment.

Once designed, the RTA would appoint a consultant regarding the project.

Issa Al Dossari, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, said, "We are calling them 'Priority' lanes. People have always complained that a journey by public bus takes a lot of time. This is one of the main reasons as to why the people don't go in for public transport. We want to end this scenario. The lanes for buses would facilitate bus movement. People travelling in buses would reach their destinations quicker than those driving their personal cars. This move would ensure that more and more people use the public transport system."

Al Dossari opined that they have selected four areas which would see special tracks for bicycles.

"One such area is by the Creek side near Creek Sheraton Hotel in Deira. We are looking at places near the Dubai Creek and different colleges and universities. "We are sure that the tracks would be popular among the masses. There are many who want to use bicycles as it is a good form of exercise," he opined.

Sources said that the area near the Jumeirah beach was also being considered for these tracks.

The official said the main motive of the RTA was to encourage people to use more means of public transport. At present, only seven per cent of the trips are made by public transport means.

"We want to reduce the usage of private cars in Dubai which will automatically help in the reduction of traffic jams. We are providing the best possible means of public transport to the people so that they use it more and more. We would be ending the complaints about delays in using the public buses," added Dossari.


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