Time to change how skateparks are operated

Readers share their thoughts on skating, domestic workers, bus fares and museums.

Readers share their thoughts about safety in skateparks. Paulo Vecina / The National

I am writing about your recent report about skateparks in Dubai (New rules for Dubai skatepark after BMX rider collides with skateboarder, January 21). World-class skateparks must cater to world-class skaters. In the best parks, there are certain hours just for children but the parks cater to serious skaters over children.

The hours for kids have to be thought out better in Dubai to avoid problems like the accident that recently happened.

There must be session times for different skill levels and also for children. They shouldn’t just block off an entire morning and let children run around like crazy.

The problem is that some parents just want to drop their kids off and leave them there. We need more structure for the sake of the sport and the park.

David Sunderland, Dubai

It’s called a skatepark not a bicycle park. They need to have clear times for experienced skaters, beginners and children. If bikers want to enjoy the park, they need their own specific time. Also, they could use more safety staff to ensure that another accident doesn’t happen again.

Tom Smink, Dubai

I think a lot of the blame should be on the skaters themselves. Even if they are experienced, they shouldn’t feel like they have the run of the place.

If everyone thinks more about the safety of the park as a whole, then we can avoid this problem in the future.

Iris Harnie, Dubai

Use technology to show art

With regard to your editorial about how museums hold art without putting it on public display (Hidden art ought to be displayed, January 21), I wonder why there aren't more virtual museums to solve this problem.

Why isn’t a virtual museum created for all the masterpieces in storage? It’s not like the technology is not available to do so. After all, there are virtual shopping facilities in metro stations, so why not virtual art galleries in places that also see an influx of passengers on a daily basis.

This might encourage more people to visit the Abu Dhabi Louvre when it opens.

Name withheld by request

How to help UK immigrants

Regarding HA Hellyer's recent opinion piece (Cameron finds new way to alienate Muslims, January 21), I am no fan of Mr David Cameron but the reason he has singled out Muslim women for English proficiency tests is simple.

Muslim men mostly go to work and need to speak English, many Muslim women do not even get out of the door in the UK on their own and never have the chance to learn English. When they do get out it is often with family members and they keep on speaking in their native tongue.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Respect for domestic work

I read your opinion piece about domestic workers (Maids in the UAE, like their employers, deserve strong protection, January 19) with great interest. This is what must happen going forward: domestic workers should be treated with respect and kindness.

They are human beings and deserve to be treated well. If they are treated in this way, they will respond with an equal measure of respect.

It might sound simple or naive but respect is the foundation of any positive work environment, including domestic service.

Name withheld by request

Cracking down on fare-dodgers

Regarding the report about bus fare-dodging (Abu Dhabi bus users complain of fare-dodging passengers, January 21), there needs to be better placards and notices about the consequence of bus fare-dodging.

Put a sign in the front and back of the bus that reads: if you do not pay your fare, you should face the consequences. Don’t forget that all buses have cameras and you can be recorded.

Name withheld by request

I see people dodging all the time. If only passengers had the right to give a signal to the driver about cheaters.

There is no need to give a verbal warning, just force them off the bus.

Genesis Lachica, Abu Dhabi

I don’t think there are enough payment machines in the city. If there were more options to pay and it was easier, people wouldn’t skip fares. Better infrastructure will help solve the problem.

Duco Dechavez, Abu Dhabi