Dubai’s cycling network has gained an important new connection with the completion of a dedicated pedestrian and cycling bridge over Sheikh Zayed Road.
Located near Dubai Internet City Metro Station, the 528-metre crossing provides a safer way for cyclists, pedestrians and e-scooter riders to travel between Al Sufouh and the Hessa Street corridor. From there, the developing route continues toward Al Barsha, Barsha Heights and Dubai Hills.
The new Dubai cycling bridge is one of two major crossings incorporated into the Hessa Street Development Project. A second bridge, measuring 501 metres, crosses Al Khail Road and connects the route with Dubai Hills.
Together, the bridges remove two of the most difficult barriers facing anyone attempting to travel through this part of Dubai without a car. Instead of navigating busy motorway junctions, users can follow a purpose-built route separated from vehicle traffic.
What the new bridge connects
The bridge crosses Sheikh Zayed Road close to Dubai Internet City Metro Station, connecting cycling tracks in Al Sufouh and Jumeirah with the multi-use route running along Hessa Street.
It forms part of a 13.5-kilometre corridor designed to connect Al Sufouh with Dubai Hills. The full route serves 12 destinations across residential, commercial, educational and service areas, including Al Barsha and Barsha Heights.
Although the bridge is positioned close to Dubai Internet City, it should not be viewed as a single direct crossing between Dubai Internet City and Dubai Hills. It is one part of a larger connected route that extends from Al Sufouh, passes through the Hessa Street area and continues toward Dubai Hills.
That wider connection is what makes the project particularly useful. It gives people a continuous alternative to travelling exclusively by car while linking neighbourhoods with offices, schools, shops and public transport stations.
A bridge designed for three types of users
The Sheikh Zayed Road bridge is five metres wide. Three metres are allocated to bicycles and e-scooters, while a separate two-metre walkway is reserved for pedestrians.
Separating the different types of users is intended to make the crossing more practical and comfortable, especially during busy periods. Pedestrians have their own space, while cyclists and e-scooter riders can move through the bridge without entering the walking lane.
The wider 13.5-kilometre track follows a similar multi-use design. It measures 4.5 metres across, with 2.5 metres allocated to cyclists and e-scooter riders and two metres provided for pedestrians.
According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, the Hessa Street route and its bridges have an estimated capacity of approximately 5,200 users per hour.
The architecture reflects its surroundings
The new Dubai cycling bridge was designed as more than a standard motorway crossing.
Its architectural form uses interwoven lines to represent connection and continuity. The open structure was also created to preserve views of the surrounding towers and allow the bridge to feel visually connected to the skyline.
The second crossing over Al Khail Road has a different identity. Its flowing lines take inspiration from sunlight, with the sun’s path incorporated into the overall composition. That design is intended to create a calmer environment for people travelling above the traffic below.
Giving each bridge a distinctive appearance helps integrate the structures into their surroundings while making the route more recognisable to users.
Why the metro connection matters
One of the most significant features of the project is its proximity to Dubai Internet City Metro Station on the Red Line.
The connection allows commuters to combine public transport with walking, cycling or e-scooter travel. A passenger can leave the Metro and continue toward a nearby office, school, home or commercial destination without relying entirely on a taxi or private vehicle.
This addresses what transport planners call the first- and last-mile challenge: the distance between a public transport station and a person’s final destination.
A Metro station may be close to an office or residential building, but a difficult road crossing or an incomplete footpath can make the remaining journey inconvenient. The new bridge helps close that gap by providing a dedicated link over one of Dubai’s busiest roads.
It could prove particularly useful for people travelling to and from Dubai Internet City, Barsha Heights and Al Sufouh, where the Metro serves a large concentration of offices, hotels, homes and educational institutions.
How the bridge fits into the Hessa Street project
The cycling corridor is part of the wider Hessa Street Development Project, which has expanded and upgraded a key route between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
The road project includes upgraded intersections, new bridges and additional lanes intended to increase capacity and reduce journey times. Alongside those changes for motorists, the dedicated multi-use track introduces infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders.
The combination reflects a broader approach to transport planning in which major road projects also include alternatives to driving.
The Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road cycling bridges are particularly important because major highways can interrupt otherwise connected neighbourhood routes. Building above those roads allows the multi-use corridor to continue without forcing users into unsafe crossings or lengthy diversions.
Dubai’s cycling network continues to grow
The bridge is part of a much larger expansion of cycling infrastructure in Dubai.
RTA completed 13 cycling tracks under a master plan covering 15 routes with a combined length of 162 kilometres. The projects strengthen connections between existing tracks, residential areas, public transport stations and major destinations.
Dubai’s cycling network grew from 560 kilometres at the end of 2024 to 636 kilometres by the end of 2025. The long-term target is to provide 1,000 kilometres of cycling tracks by 2030.
Usage is also increasing. RTA figures show that the number of cycling trips rose from 46.6 million in 2024 to 57.3 million in 2025, an increase of 23.5 per cent. Cyclist satisfaction with Dubai’s cycling infrastructure reached 85 per cent, while 22.3 per cent of the population had access to cycling infrastructure.
Dubai was also included among the world’s top 100 cycling-friendly cities in the 2025 Copenhagenize Index, becoming the first Middle Eastern city to appear in the ranking.
What users should know
The new crossing is designed for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders rather than motor vehicles.
Its location beside Dubai Internet City Metro Station makes it accessible for commuters using the Red Line, while its connection with the Hessa Street corridor opens routes toward Al Barsha, Barsha Heights and Dubai Hills.
Users should remain within their allocated sections of the bridge and follow Dubai’s applicable cycling and e-scooter regulations. They should also plan journeys around weather conditions, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.
Quick facts
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road near Dubai Internet City Metro Station
- Bridge length: 528 metres
- Bridge width: Five metres
- Cycling and e-scooter lane: Three metres
- Pedestrian walkway: Two metres
- Wider route: 13.5 kilometres
- Main connection: Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street
- Areas served: Includes Al Barsha and Barsha Heights
- Estimated capacity: Approximately 5,200 users per hour
- Dubai’s 2030 target: 1,000 kilometres of cycling tracks
A more practical route beyond the car
The new Dubai cycling bridge may be most valuable because it turns a previously difficult crossing into a practical part of an everyday journey.
For residents, workers and visitors travelling through Al Sufouh, Dubai Internet City, Barsha Heights, Al Barsha or Dubai Hills, the bridge provides another way to move between communities without entering motorway traffic.
It also strengthens the link between the Metro and Dubai’s expanding network of walking, cycling and e-scooter routes. As more missing connections are completed, cycling can become a more realistic option for commuting, short trips and recreation rather than remaining limited to isolated tracks.
