I am delighted to know about the initiative to turn Abu Dhabi into a bicycle-friendly city (Cyclists welcome new bike-sharing scheme, December 29).
Although the bike-sharing scheme will be available to those who have access to areas between Al Raha Beach and Yas Island, I hope people living elsewhere in the emirate, especially in the heart of the city, will also get the opportunity to safely commute by cycle in the near future.
Sahil Ahmed, Abu Dhabi
It’s a pinched idea from London, but a good one. However, the rent of Dh15 a day is too much.
Paul Williams, Dubai
US vote leaves Palestinians with no hope
On Tuesday, the US voted in the UN Security Council against the resolution to end Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, thereby endorsing the continuation of the illegal settlements in the occupied territories that prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state and an end to the conflict (UN Security Council rejects Palestinian statehood resolution, January 1).
The resolution, in which Britain abstained, was supported by France and seven other members of the 15-strong Security Council and was a move by over half the world, including Russia and China, to end the status quo.
The document called for Israel to fully withdraw from all occupied Palestinian territories by the end of 2017 and for a comprehensive peace deal to be reached within a year.
Tuesday’s vote gives Israel carte blanche to continue its programme of illegal settlement that has, to date, moved over half a million of its own citizens onto Palestinian land.
The resolution had called for the establishment of an independent state of Palestine within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution to thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, the return of refugees and the reallocation of vital water supplies.
All this has now been specifically rejected by the US in a portent of the instability and violence to come. There is no other precedent in modern times of an American congress being held so completely subservient to the will of lobbyists acting in the interests of a foreign state.
Anthony Bellchambers, UK
Know the pitfalls of travelling
You cannot travel from Frankfurt to Madrid without a Schengen visa (Visa snag ruins Christmas holiday for Ruwais family, December 31).
They should have been stopped when departing the UAE, as they did not have the visa. You could face these problems if you book tickets online.
It’s better to book with an agent or directly from the airline.
Johanna Iisakkila, Dubai
The story is a bit strange. I have never heard anyone having to have special visas for the transit hall. I presume the family did not leave the airport.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
The article is meant to make people aware of such problems. Transiting sometimes is a lot more than just walking by the transfer desk.
As for this family, the key point is that they were stopping at more than one city within the European Union. The booking site messed it up and gave them a false assurance that they would not require any visa.
Prayag Pal, Abu Dhabi
They are telling their story so others don’t make the same mistake. The airlines and travel sites are not responsible for providing visa information. That is the job of the traveller to find out. It sounds like the airlines went far out of their way to be helpful. It’s a good reminder for travellers that they should seek out all the information in advance. And when in doubt, get the visa just in case.
Shana Ahmad, Abu Dhabi
