Dubai: You’ve driven along Shaikh Zayed Road, and likely walked alongside it too. Are you now ready to cycle over this busy highway?The Roads and Transport Authority has announced the opening of a new cycling bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting cyclists safely to multiple destinations across the busiest parts of the city.Here’s what you need to know before you plan your next ride.What is the Sheikh Zayed Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge?The new Sheikh Zayed Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge over Sheikh Zayed Road connects Dubai Hills and Al Sufouh area via Hessa Street, and leads onwards to Jumeirah via one fully integrated network.The bridge spanning Sheikh Zayed Road is part of the Hessa Street Development Project, and symbolises connectivity through interwoven lines, with its open structural form offering wide views of the surrounding area and towers. It extends for 528m, and is five metres wide, with a three-metre track for cyclists and e-scooter users, and a two-metre path for pedestrians.By connecting three distinct communities, the new bridge allows for a seamless, safe, and rapid commute for cyclists.Where are other new cycling routes in Dubai?The Sheikh Zayed Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge is just the latest in a series of 13 cycling tracks that the RTA has completed work on, as part of its master plan to provide an integrated cycling network from Al Khawaneej to Al Mamzar Beach, from Al Warqa’a to Saih Al Salam, and from Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to Jumeirah.Work is also underway to complete a series of pedestrian and cycling bridges, set to be among the largest in the emirate.Here are all the other new cycling and pedestrian bridges you can look forward to this year:Bridge over Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, connecting Al Khawaneej track to Al Mamzar Beach via Al Nahda: This 820m bridge was opened just last week.Bridge over Dubai–Al Ain Road, linking Saih Al Salam track with tracks in Al Warqa’a and Al Khawaneej.Bridge over Al Khail Road, linking Dubai Hills with the cycling track along Hessa Street and Mall of the Emirates. This is the second bridge that’s part of the Hessa Street Development Project, and the design of this bridge draws inspiration from lines of light created by the sun’s rays, producing a fluid path that gives pedestrians and cyclists a sense of tranquility away from street noise.Bridge on Al Manara Street in Al Quoz Creative Zone, providing smooth movement for pedestrians and cyclists within the area and its nearby attractions. Its design features aesthetic elements that complement the architectural identity and character of the district. The bridge measures 45m in length, 5.5m in width, and six metres in height from the asphalt level, and includes two ramps on either side, each extending 210 metres.Bridge located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road at its intersection with Tunis Street – Al Nahda, linking Muhaisnah 1 with Al Twar and extending towards Al Mamzar Beach. The bridge measures 554m in length.All tracks are either completed or scheduled to be opened before the end of this year.Why is Dubai focusing on new cycling tracks? The development of cycling tracks forms part of a comprehensive plan by the RTA to expand Dubai’s cycling network to 1,000 km by 2030. This is in line with the Dubai Bicycle-Friendly Strategy, which aims to promote cycling as an environmentally friendly means of transport in the city, and to enhance safety standards, create dedicated areas for cyclists, and connect districts with tracks and bridges for seamless connectivity.RTA’s efforts in building an integrated cycling network have strengthened Dubai’s global standing, earning the emirate a place among the world’s top 100 cycling-friendly cities in the 2025 Copenhagenize Index, making it the first city in the Middle East to achieve this distinction.The Copenhagenize Index is a leading global benchmark for assessing cycling friendliness, based on key criteria including infrastructure quality, cycling usage rates, corporate support, and policies related to flexible mobility.RTA’s initiatives have increased the total length of cycling tracks from 560 km at the end of 2024 to 636 km by the end of 2025. Moreover, 22.3% of Dubai’s population now has access to cycling infrastructure, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office.What’s next for cycling infrastructure in Dubai?As part of its master plan, the RTA is developing several new dedicated cycling, pedestrian and e-scooter tracks around the city. Here are some projects that are currently underway:Pedestrian and cycling tracks: A number of tracks are being developed in key residential areas, including Al Warqa’a, Al Nahda Street in Al Qusais, Tunis Street, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Wadi Al Safa, as well as Jumeirah and Al Quoz, with a total length of 64km.Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project: A 4km cycling track is underway, in addition to a further 7km of tracks across a number of development areas. This includes 2km of tracks under Al Ruwayyah Street Development Project, which links Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. The project serves Warsan 4 and Dubai Silicon Oasis, as well as Dubai Academic City, which hosts a large student population.Wadi Al Safa 5 project: The RTA is working on a 3.2km cycling track as part of a major road development project in Wadi Al Safa 5, linking Emirates Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. The project serves Arabian Ranches 3 and Villanova, both established residential communities.Al Safa 4 project: A cycling track of roughly two kilometres is being implemented in Al Safa 4, serving several key development areas, including Falcon City and City of Arabia.
