Dubai’s Ambitious Cycling Masterplan Aims to Crown the City as the World’s Most Bike-Friendly by 2040
A recently announced cycling masterplan is set to transform Dubai into the best bike-friendly city by 2040, even surpassing Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
The visionary “Dubai Cycle City 2040” study, proposed by URB, outlines a comprehensive plan for diverse cycling infrastructure, including the ambitious 93 KM cycling highway named THE LOOP.
This paradigm shift aims to transform the daily commute for residents, encouraging cycling and walking to key services and locations within minutes.
With the emirate’s population expected to more than double by 2040, the city’s efforts in sustainability and sustainable mobility is well underway. Dubai police and taxi fleets have already seen a change with the use of electric vehicles.
“Our role as urban planners has evolved to become changemakers. It is no longer about just planning new sustainable cities. It is about planning new types of assets for existing cities with a sense of purpose, to make them more sustainable. It is about becoming an agent of change. The Dubai Cycle City 2040 is an embodiment of that entrepreneurial spirit,” said Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB.
Earlier this year, the emirate revealed The Loop, a 93-kilometre, climate controlled highway. The ambitious megaproject aims to establish a “healthy mode of transport, access to key services and locations by walking and cycling within minutes.”
According to the plan, it also aims to provide utilities and amenities to neighborhoods including urban agriculture, social spaces and more.
Currently, Amsterdam stands on a cycling infrastructure of 515 km, Copenhagen at 545 km, and Dubai aims to develop over 1,000 km.
The proposed infrastructure of The Loop will connect key areas:
- DIFC
- Downtown
- Business Bay
- Al Quoz
- Al Serkal Avenue
- Al Barsha
- Dubai Marina
- JLT
- Jebal Ali Village
- Jebal Ali Industrial Area
- Expo City
- DIP
- Remraam
- Sustainable City
- Haman Sports Complex
- Dubailand
- Academic City
- DSO
- Nad Al Sheba
- Al Meydan
- D3
- AL Jaddaf
- Dubai Frame
Key project facts
- Length: 93 kilometers
- 100% renewable energy using kinetic power
- Zero emissions transport system
- 100% recycled water for irrigation
- Additional amenities for residents
- Promotes health and wellbeing
- Vertical farms for food security
Under the directives and vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai 20-minute city falls in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
URB’s CEO, Baharash Bagherian, envisions the emirate as the ultimate hub for entrepreneurship in urban mobility, with THE LOOP project embodying that entrepreneurial spirit.
Aligned with the emirate’s ambition to become a 20-minute city, THE LOOP aims to facilitate residents’ access to destinations and essentials within 20 minutes by foot or bicycle. This concept falls in line with the broader Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to enhance and utilise urban spaces for the well-being of residents.
Sheikh Mohammed also reviewed the progress of 17 projects and initiatives that were part of the initial phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
“Today, we have a clear vision for the development of Dubai’s urban infrastructure and housing sector until 2040. Our goal is for Dubai to be an eco- and pedestrian-friendly city, and a city with a high yield from urban agriculture,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The plan envisions developing five main urban centers, implementing a comprehensive strategy for the real estate sector, and fostering sustainable urban development.
The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, officially approved by the emirate’s ruler in 2021, is poised to elevate the emirate into the epitome of the best city for living. This comprehensive plan delineates a strategic roadmap for the city’s development, encompassing six distinct urbanisation levels designed to create harmonious urban centers with varied uses and densities.
“It would be possible to determine infrastructure requirements – roads and transportation systems, energy and government services such as hospitals, schools, service centres, and service and recreational facilities – in a way that provides integrated services across all emirate districts while enhancing the use of flexible and sustainable means of mobility,” under these six levels.
