Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started work to build cycle paths in several residential communities in Dubai.

The project, which aims to encourage the cycling culture in the emirate, will build cycle paths in areas including Al Mizhar, Mirdif, Al Warqa’a, Al Sufouh, Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah and Al Barsha, Naseer Abu Shehab, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Governance at RTA, said.

The move to include cycling tracks in Dubai communities is a part of the Bicycle Master Plan launched in 2012, which aims to build and maintain 900km of cycle paths across the city by 2020.

While work in Dubai residential areas has commenced, Abu Shehab pointed out that additional areas are also being considered. “Other communities that are being considered for future cycle paths include those in the Bur Dubai area as well as Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Green Community Village and Dubai Investment Park,” he said. Abu Shehab added the RTA has also provided cycle parking racks at most metro stations and is continuing work to improve and add to the cycle infrastructure over the coming years.

Working on the project with RTA, Dubai Sports Council, and the UAE Cycling Federation, Dubai resident Stewart Howison, 40, from Scotland, said the move to build more cycle paths aims to encourage more adults and children to cycle to and from work and school. “Having cycle paths in these communities will also bring the community together. People will get to know their neighbours better through cycling and will get more of a chance to talk to them when cycling around than by getting into their cars and driving off every morning,” he said.

Howison, who cycles five to six times a week at Al Qudra and Nad Al Sheba cycling tracks, is one of many cyclists who will benefit from community cycle paths.

Enrique Klein, 59, from Peru, a resident in Al Barsha, said the project will encourage more residents to exercise and will promote a healthier lifestyle.

“The lifestyle here can be very stationary, so the more cycling paths there are, the higher the chance that people will go out and exercise,” Klein said.

Cycling around 250km a week in Nad Al Sheba and Al Qudra, Klein said having a cycle path in his community will save him the trip down to official cycling tracks on busy weekdays.

While no completion date has been announced for the new cycle paths in residential communities, more than 70 per cent of the Dubai cycle track project has been completed.