Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed 13 cycling tracks spanning 162 kilometres, as the emirate records a 23.5 per cent rise in cycling trips and enters the global Copenhagenize Index for the first time.
Dubai has been ranked among the world’s top 100 cycling-friendly cities in the 2025 Copenhagenize Index, making it the first city in the Middle East to receive the distinction. The index is a benchmark for cycling friendliness, assessing cities on infrastructure, usage rates, corporate support and policies related to flexible mobility.
The ranking follows the completion of 13 cycling tracks by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) as part of a master plan comprising 15 tracks across the emirate, with a total length of 162 kilometres. The network connects Al Khawaneej to Al Mamzar Beach, Al Warqa’a to Saih Al Salam, and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to Jumeirah.
Dubai targets 1,000km cycling network by 2030 as RTA delivers 13 tracks totalling 162km
The total length of cycling tracks in Dubai grew from 560 kilometres at the end of 2024 to 636 kilometres by the close of 2025. Over the same period, the number of cycling trips rose from 46.6 million to 57.3 million, representing an increase of 23.5 per cent. Cyclist satisfaction with infrastructure in Dubai reached 85 per cent, and 22.3 per cent of the population now has access to cycling infrastructure.
“The expansion of pedestrian and cycling tracks and bridges reflects the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to enhance road safety and provide a safe and sustainable mobility environment for all road users. The initiative also supports Dubai’s vision to become a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly city, while enhancing quality of life and promoting the well-being of residents and visitors,” Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said in a statement.
“Both existing and planned cycling tracks form an integrated network linking residential areas across the emirate with key destinations and public transport stations, encouraging the use of bicycles and other sustainable individual mobility modes for first- and last-mile journeys,” he added.
Among the completed projects is the delivery of cycling tracks in Al Khawaneej 2 and Al Barsha 2 under the Model Residential Neighbourhoods Project, totalling 18.5 kilometres – comprising 8 kilometres in Al Khawaneej 2 and 10.5 kilometres in Al Barsha 2.
A 700-metre cycling track has been delivered in the Tolerance District. The Soft Mobility Project has also been completed, introducing mobility enhancements in and around public transport stations at Al Souk Al Kabeer, Hor Al Anz and Abu Hail, as well as at five stations: BurJuman, Sharaf DG, Palm Deira, Baniyas and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall.
The completed works include 25 kilometres of tracks for bicycles and e-scooters, upgrades to existing pedestrian walkways, and the rollout of the Safe Streets concept across internal roads.
A further 7 kilometres of pedestrian, cycling and micromobility tracks have been delivered to connect the area with ONPASSIVE Metro Station and Al Quoz Bus Station. A pedestrian and cycling bridge has been constructed over Al Manara Street, measuring 45 metres in length, 5.5 metres in width and 6 metres in height, with access ramps on both sides extending 210 metres each.
Cycling tracks at the entrances of Al Warqa’a, linking them to tracks in the area, span a total of 11 kilometres. Cycling tracks under the Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project have also been completed, with a total length of approximately 10 kilometres.
Al Tayer said: “The selection of track locations was based on comprehensive field studies, taking into account population density, land use integration, proximity to major tourism and economic destinations, and connectivity with public transport hubs. These factors contribute to improving traffic flow and enabling safe, smooth mobility for pedestrians and cyclists across Dubai’s road network.”
Work is under way to complete a series of pedestrian and cycling bridges. A bridge over Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road will connect Al Twar and Al Muhaisnah over a length of 816 metres. A second bridge spanning Dubai–Al Ain Road will link Dubai Silicon Oasis and Liwan, extending 719 metres. A bridge over Sheikh Zayed Road will connect cycling tracks in Al Sufouh and Jumeirah with the track along Hessa Street, while a bridge over Al Khail Road will link Dubai Hills with the cycling track along Hessa Street and Mall of the Emirates. All tracks are scheduled to open in the second quarter of this year.
Work is under way on a dedicated cycling and e-scooter track as part of the Hessa Street Development Project. The track will extend 13.5 kilometres with a width of 4.5 metres – 2.5 metres allocated for cycling and e-scooters and 2 metres for pedestrian use. It will run from Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street, serving 12 destinations across residential, commercial, educational and service areas, including Al Barsha and Barsha Heights. The track will connect with Dubai Internet City Metro Station and has a capacity of approximately 5,200 users per hour.
Two bridges form part of the project. The first spans Sheikh Zayed Road at 528 metres and the second crosses Al Khail Road at 501 metres. Each bridge is 5 metres wide, with 3 metres for cycling and e-scooters and 2 metres for pedestrians.
RTA is delivering pedestrian, cycling and micromobility tracks across Al Warqa’a, Al Nahda Street in Al Qusais, Tunis Street, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Wadi Al Safa, Jumeirah and Al Quoz, totalling 64 kilometres.
As part of the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, a 4-kilometre cycling track is being implemented. A further 2 kilometres are under construction under the Al Ruwayyah Street Development Project, linking Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. The project serves Warsan 4, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Academic City.
A 3.2-kilometre cycling track is being built as part of a road development project in Wadi Al Safa 5, linking Emirates Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, serving Arabian Ranches 3 and Villanova. A further 2-kilometre track is under way in Al Safa 4, serving Falcon City and City of Arabia.
The construction of cycling infrastructure forms part of a broader plan to expand Dubai’s cycling network to 1,000 kilometres by 2030. Al Tayer said Dubai’s inclusion in the Copenhagenize Index marks “a culmination of sustained efforts led by RTA to develop an integrated cycling network, in line with the Dubai Bicycle-Friendly Strategy, which has marked a step change in the concept of sustainable urban mobility.”
