Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi residents have been pedalling their bicycles not just for sport or leisure, but for everyday transport. In an interview with Aletihad, a senior official spotlights this shift made possible by infrastructure geared toward mobility that is convenient, sustainable, and supportive of a more active lifestyle.
“Abu Dhabi has made remarkable strides in expanding its cycling infrastructure,” said Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility).
In the emirate, cyclists can easily take the bus thanks to Service 73, a dedicated route that lets passengers bring their bikes on board. Launched by the Integrated Transport Centre in 2022, it has made cycling a practical part of residents’ daily commute and, as Dr AlGhfeli told Aletihad, one that the community has “quickly” embraced.
“Users are not just using the service to travel between Jazeerat Al Reem and Al Hudayriat; they’re also taking full advantage of its seamless integration with cycling tracks,” he said.
“When a new service becomes part of people’s daily routines, it’s a clear sign that we’re addressing a real need and delivering on our vision to elevate the quality of life in Abu Dhabi.”
Service 73 — the first of its kind in the region — runs between Al Reem Island and Al Hudayriat Island, stopping at major landmarks across Abu Dhabi City.
By putting bicycles and buses on a single, seamless journey, the service bridges what Dr AlGhfeli calls “the first- and last-mile connectivity gap” — the short but often inconvenient stretch between home and the nearest bus stop, or between the bus stop and a final destination. He said the solution removes “one of the biggest barriers to using public transport”.
“By providing dedicated space for bikes on board, the service allows Abu Dhabi residents to cycle from their doorstep to a bus stop and travel comfortably to their workplaces, schools, leisure areas, or sports facilities, all without needing a private vehicle,” he said.
The payoff: less time stuck in traffic, lower travel costs, and a more connected, liveable city.
With the service’s success on the ground, Abu Dhabi has been steadily expanding the initiative — one of several projects rolled out since the emirate was named a Bike City by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in 2021.
“Expanding services like Service 73 unlocks the full potential of this growing network,” Dr AlGhfeli said. “By seamlessly connecting bus networks with cycling routes, we’re offering residents and visitors safer, more practical, and more flexible mobility options.”
Service 73, he added, puts into action Abu Dhabi’s vision of building “an interconnected transport system that allows users to transition seamlessly between different modes of travel”.
“By making everyday journeys more flexible, convenient, and efficient, we’re empowering users to choose public transport and active mobility as practical alternatives to private vehicles,” he said. “This aligns closely with Abu Dhabi’s broader priorities of liveability and accessibility by connecting key destinations through well-planned infrastructure.”
Beyond the popular cyclist bus route, other major initiatives in the emirate include the Bike Abu Dhabi programme, the planned expansion of cycling tracks to more than 1,000 kilometres, the 109-kilometre Abu Dhabi Loop, and the construction of the Hudayriat Velodrome, the official said.
Each expansion, he added, will strengthen the entire ecosystem, “making the whole network more connected, more accessible, and more sustainable”.
Ultimately, the success of Abu Dhabi’s cycling and mobility push comes down to its impact on residents’ lives, Dr AlGhfeli said.
“Seeing families, students, and professionals gravitate towards public transport and active transportation options is a strong indicator that we’re making a positive impact on the community’s everyday life.”
