The Hessa Street track will allow pelotons to velo on a network of paths and bridges from Dubai Hills to Internet City…

Dubai is already home to some amazing cycling adventures. There are dedicated paths that take you through the winding skyscraper canyon of the Dubai Canal, there’s the Kite Beach chase – offering wild blue hues of ocean views, and desert tracks that cut spandex ribbons through golden Arabian dunes.

Different spokes for different folks

But as part of the government’s commitment to making the city on giant alfresco velodrome, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has been busy forging new routes so pedal heads don’t have to use their cleats on the streets.

The Dubai Cycle City 2040 project (part of the wider Dubai Urban Master Plan), aims to make the area ‘the world’s most bike-friendly city by 2040.’

And the latest edition to this evolving cyclo-sphere, is the completion of the a 13.5km track that links Dubai Hills to Al Sufouh. We say completion, there is one last bridge – crossing the Sheikh Zayed Road, that’s a presta valve away from opening, and should be welcoming riders in the next few days (render below).

Talking at the time of the project announcement, His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority said “This track designated for cyclists, scooter riders and pedestrians is part of Hessa Street Improvement Project currently undertaken by RTA spanning 4.5 km between the intersections with Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.”

Splitmaxxing

Some cyclists have already tried out the new track, summiting the bridge over Al Khail Road and setting Strava PBs for those drafting in the tailwind to chase. The new route almost allows you to link up to more cycle mileage along Beach Road too.

Take a bike push sector from there, past the Two Seasons hotel through into Internet City, along Abdullah Omran Street, up the beach end of Hessa Street and you’re straight onto King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St (Beach Road). Once there, it’s a choice of east and west – you can head down into Jumeriah, past Burj Al Arab and Kite Beach then off to the Canal. Or if it’s spearing spires you seek, the Marina provides in plenty with its extended urban loop.

And whilst the temperature is heating up here now, Dubai’s bike tribe are used to getting up early to beat the heat. Leave your excuses on the track.