Dubai has opened a new 160-meter long tunnel for cyclists in Meydan. This move is part of the city’s efforts to improve road safety, reduce its carbon footprint, and promote healthy activity. The tunnel, which can cater to 800 riders per hour, was created by converting a part of the cycling track that connects to Meydan Street into an underpass to keep cyclists separated from vehicles and minimize accidents.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has a long-term strategy to establish Dubai as a bike-friendly city, and this tunnel is a step towards achieving that goal. The RTA aims to increase the total length of cycling tracks in Dubai to 819km by 2026.
In August 2020, Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed approved a strategy worth Dh400 million to improve cycling safety and turn the city into a bicycle-friendly network, in line with the Dubai Vision 2021 initiative. The initiative aims to promote sustainable transportation, create a healthy and active community, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
Dubai’s efforts to become a bike-friendly city will not only benefit cyclists but also the entire population. Cycling is a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transportation that can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. The new tunnel for cyclists is a promising step towards a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for Dubai.
