Capital saddles up for cycling routes

Cyclists are eagerly looking forward to the dedicated cycling routes planned for the emirate.

Rani Wehbe, a 42 year old Lebanese American, with his 11 year old daughter Maria, welcomes the plans to make the city more bicycle-friendly.

ABU DHABI //A slew of bike and pedestrian routes are in the works for the emirate - and though their timing and location are indefinite, one thing is certain: going for a bike ride or a long walk will be safer.

According to new information from the Department of Transport, the routes will be introduced over the next five years, starting in downtown areas and residential neighbourhoods.

The 12-month planning stage for the department's Pedestrian and Bikeway Master Plan, which is being done in collaboration with the Urban Planning Council and the Department of Municipal Affairs, is expected to be completed by early next year.

Road users said the new routes could make cycling much safer in the emirate - provided that the project was accompanied by rigorous enforcement and a strong awareness campaign.

Besides the Corniche, bike riders say the only other area dedicated for cyclists is the Yas Marina Circuit, and this is only open to riders on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm. Otherwise, cyclists must resort to riding along the hard shoulder of main roads and motorways.

Aubrey Roberts, an experienced cyclist from the UK, said the Corniche was not challenging enough.

"The Corniche is fine if you want to go for a ride with your friends and family, but if you want to train for an event you need a longer, smoother stretch," he said.

Mr Roberts, who has been cycling for 30 years, participates in the Al Raha cycling group, which takes a 110km trip from Al Raha International Boys School to Al Shahama and back to Emirates Plaza. During these trips, cyclists rode along the hard shoulder of the motorway, he said.

Department of Transport (DoT) officials said the pedestrian and cycling routes would be implemented in phases, with the first phases in areas of highest demand. From its start in city centres and existing residential areas, the network would then gradually expand to cover all the urban areas in the emirate, officials said, adding that paths for walking and cycling would be separate along most main roads.

The new routes will be linked with existing facilities and connect to major destinations, such as malls, schools, parks, retail stores and office towers.

An important consideration, cyclists said, was the road surface.

"Although most of the Corniche has been resurfaced, there's still a portion of the Corniche that is tile," Mr Roberts said. "This can get quite slippery and almost lethal in rainy or humid weather."

DoT officials said a range of materials would be used that were designed for walking and cycling comfort. Surfaces would be smooth but slip-resistant.

Meanwhile, parents said they would still be hesitant to allow their children to take to the streets on their own, unless they were certain a safety strategy was in place.

Rani Wehbe, a Lebanese-American resident from Abu Dhabi, said that strict enforcement must accompany the new routes.

"You have people who suddenly jump out at you from nowhere, and drivers still do not fully respect the cyclist," Mr Wehbe said. "The routes cannot work on their own. There needs to be an orientation programme that targets all members of the community."

Mr Roberts attributes this behaviour to a lack of cycling culture.

"People from Europe or North America are used to seeing cyclists, whereas the concept is not familiar here and therefore the cyclist is not seen as a priority."

Safety was the highest priority, DoT officials said, and actions were being taken to that effect. Buffers such as trees, landscaping, raised kerbs and other barriers would be used to separate cyclists from traffic on main roads, they said.

Education and awareness campaigns will also be held in order to change user behaviour, encouraging residents to use walking and cycling as alternative methods of transportation. By making the pathways more comfortable for residents, partly through the use of more trees and shaded areas, the DoT hopes to tempt commuters out of their cars in an attempt to promote active lifestyles and enhance the environment.

However, officials must ensure easy access. DoT officials said routes would be fully integrated to the public transportation network. Areas will also be provided where bicycles can be parked securely and supported by "end-of-ride" facilities, such as showers and lockers.

As Mr Wehbe rode along the Corniche with other cyclists, he expressed great optimism in the long-term plans.

"The weather is only particularly hot four months in the year," he said. "If this plan is approached in the right way, I believe it would encourage people to commute by bike."