Dubai Ride: Salik to raise toll charges and road closures in place for cycling event on Sunday

Variable pricing strategy comes into effect for annual community race

Thousands of cyclists take part in the Dubai Ride each year. Ruel Pableo for The National

Dubai's road toll operator is to increase its peak-hour morning charges on Sunday as thousands gear up for a major cycling event taking over Sheikh Zayed Road.

The Salik Company said on Friday that revised fees would come into effect for the annual Dubai Ride, under a variable pricing strategy activated for major events and public holidays.

Motorists will pay Dh6 when passing through the city's toll gates between 6am and 10am, up from the usual Dh4 charge.

Sheikh Zayed Road closes for Dubai Ride fitness challenge event

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The typical Dh4 fee will be reinstated from 10am until 1am the following day, with charges waived between 1am to 6am on Monday as normal.

Drivers typically pay Dh4 from 6am to 1am on Sundays, with no charges outside of those hours.

Salik previously increased Sunday toll charges under the same dynamic charging plan in June.

Salik said on social media that toll rates were to be updated on Sunday as part of "ongoing efforts to support smooth traffic flow during major community events in Dubai and to further enhance the smart mobility experience for all road use".

Salik revised its road tolls in January, increasing charges from a Dh4 flat fee to Dh6 during busy periods.

Two new Salik gates in Dubai – at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and at Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road – were activated in November last year, which took the number of toll gates in the emirate to 10.

Roads close for big race

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  A participant raises up his bicycle at Dubai Ride. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National

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  People gathered at Sheikh Zayed Road for the event

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  A participant rides with the UAE flag behind his bicycle

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  The event is open to cyclists of all ages and abilities

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  Some participants wear costumes as they took part in the ride

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  Early participants take part in Dubai Ride on Sheikh Zayed Road as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge

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  Experienced riders started as early as 5am for a new feature called Speed Laps, which was open to cyclists who could maintain an average speed of 30kph

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  Other routes included 4km and 12km rides that began at 6.15am with five starting points to choose from on Sheikh Zayed Road

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  Sheikh Zayed Road was closed for a few hours for the event

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  The 4km downtown family route went down Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and past Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa

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  The 12km Sheikh Zayed Road route went from Dubai World Trade Centre, past landmarks including Museum of the Future and Coco-Cola Arena to Safa Park and back

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  This is the fifth year Dubai Ride has taken place

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  On November 24, the road will close again for Dubai Run, which will be the grand finale of the Dubai Fitness Challenge

The Dubai Ride is the biggest community cycling event in the city, and one of the leading events of Dubai Fitness Challenge.

The free-to-attend race will see a huge convoy of riders converge on the 14-lane Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday morning. It is open to cyclists of all ages and fitness levels.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has announced its traffic management plan for the event.

The following road closures will be implemented from 3am until 10am on Sunday to allow for cyclists to navigate the route.

• Part of Sheikh Zayed Road between the Trade Centre roundabout and Al Hadiq Road bridge
• Lower Financial Centre Street between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road
• The one-way direction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard

The RTA shared a list of alternative routes for drivers hitting the roads on Sunday, in an advisory notice on social media.

Dubai Ride registered a record 37,130 people last year, and organisers are anticipating higher participation this year.

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