New bridge for cyclists connects to Dragon Mart and International City in Dubai

The overpass has been constructed as part of the emirate's aim to be a bicycle-friendly city

The 475-metre path links the cycling tracks of the Al Khawaneej, Mushrif and Al Warqaa areas with the residential neighbourhood of International City and the popular Dragon Mart. All photos courtesy Roads and Transport Authority

The bridge has clear demarcations for residents to walk and a path for cyclists.

The bridge is part of plans to encourage people to cycle, reach a target of zero fatalities and make the city the safest in the world.

The bridge also aims to make city living more sustainable.

A bridge has been built for cyclists and pedestrians over Dubai’s busy Ras Al Khor Road.

The 475-metre path links the cycling tracks of the Al Khawaneej, Mushrif and Al Warqaa areas with the residential neighbourhood of International City, and Dragon Mart mall.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the Roads and Transport Authority, said it was part of plans to encourage people to cycle, reach a target of zero road deaths and make the city the safest in the world.

“It is constructed in the context of RTA’s efforts to improve the standard of living in the city, make residents happier and migrate to sustainable transit means with the least environmental pollutants,” he said.

The bridge has clear demarcations for residents to walk and a path for cyclists.

It is fitted with metal rails on either side for safety.

Four massive sections of steel weighing a total of 370 tonnes were transported for construction of the bridge.

The authority plans to construct 31 footbridges over the next five years to make it safer for residents to get across main roads. This will bring the total number of such footbridges in the emirate to 160.

The total length of cycling tracks in Dubai is 425 kilometres, with plans to increase this to 668km by 2025.

Transport authorities have set a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour for bicycles on dedicated tracks and 20kph for bicycles on tracks shared with pedestrians in residential areas