Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved a Dh400 million strategy to make cycling safer in the emirate. Sheikh Hamdan authorised the initiatives at a meeting of Dubai's Executive Council, of which he is chairman. "We approved the Dubai Bicycle-Friendly City Strategy 2025, which includes 18 initiatives valued at Dh400m," he wrote on Twitter. "Our goal is for Dubai to rank among the world’s best for quality of life, with projects that provide healthy lifestyles and a vision aimed at community happiness." There are 425 kilometres of cycle paths in Dubai and the Roads and Transport Authority plans to increase this to 668km by 2025. A bridge for cyclists and pedestrians over the Ras Al Khor Road opened in February, linking the tracks of Al Khawaneej, Mushrif and Al Warqa areas with the residential area of International City, and Dragon Mart mall. The paths enable cyclists to pedal in their own lane without fear of being run over. Sheikh Hamdan announced his intention to turn Dubai in a bicycle-friendly city at Dubai Police’s Innovation Lab in August 2020. He urged authorities to adopt global best practices, and all of the safety and security measures needed to develop a bicycle-friendly network. Sheikh Hamdan's directive was in line with the objectives of Dubai Vision 2021, which aims to strengthen Dubai's position as the world’s most preferred place in which to live, work and visit. Improving cycling facilities will also help to reduce the UAE's carbon footprint in line with its Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 16 per cent by the end of 2021.
