URB reveals its vision to make dubai the best cycle city by 2040

unveiling the Dubai Cycle City 2040 study by urb

Emirati practice URB offers a glimpse into a new cycling masterplan to make Dubai the world’s most bike-friendly city by 2040, presumably surpassing Amsterdam and Copenhagen. In a context where traveling by car is currently the most convenient form of transport, a paradigm shift in urban mobility is much needed and is in planning. The Dubai Cycle City 2040 study explores various types of cycling infrastructure, including THE LOOP, a 93-kilometer cycling highway envisioned by URB. This proposal aims to connect more than three million UAE residents using a healthy mode of transport.

Dubai City City 2040 masterplan vision | all renderings © URB

flipping the mode of transport in the city

The new Dubai Cycle City study ultimately aims to flip the mode of transport in Dubai, allowing residents to cycle or walk to key services and locations in the city within minutes. By 2040, Dubai’s car-centric population is expected to more than double, reaching eight million urban dwellers. Dubai’s urban evolution and sprawl have made cars necessary for travel and, thus, an indispensable part of the everyday lifestyle. As such, flipping the mode of travel towards cycling requires more than a new way of thinking about mobility; it involves entrepreneurship. ‘Our role as urban planners has evolved to become changemakers,’ shares URB founder Baharash Bagherian. ‘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.’

URB explores various cycling infrastructures, which includes THE LOOP, a 93 km cycling highway

creating a complete cycling network with the LOOP dubai

Since unveiling THE LOOP in early 2023, URB has developed further proposals for a complete cycling network in Dubai consisting of various types of cycling infrastructure. Currently in the research stage, the project, according to the team, is set to create the world’s most innovative and most connected cycling infrastructure. In addition to shifting the primary mode of transport to walking and cycling for the majority of Dubai’s residents, The Dubai Cycle City 2040 also aims to provide additional utilities and amenities to various neighborhoods, such as urban agriculture, social spaces, sports facilities, and much more. Lastly, the study looks to accelerate Dubai’s 20-minute city initiative and its 2040 masterplan goals.

The Dubai Cycle City 2040 also provides social spaces, sports facilities, and much more