News

Dubai Unveils Plans For Climate-Controlled Cycling Highway

The city aims to promote walking and cycling as primary modes of transport for residents by 2040.

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

Nour Nasir

dubai unveils plans for climate-controlled cycling highway

URB

When it comes to sustainable modes of transport, countries like the Netherlands have it pretty easy with their temperate climates. On the other hand, the sweltering heat of the Middle East isn’t ideal for cycling or walking to the office.

Arab countries, therefore, need to think outside the box when implementing sustainable (think car-free) forms of transportation, especially if they aim to meet emissions targets as we head toward 2030 and beyond.

A recent announcement by Dubai authorities provides a glimpse into a different green future. City planners have recently unveiled a 93-km climate-controlled cycling highway, named The Loop, with the aim of making cycling and walking to work feasible for up to 80% of residents by the year 2040.

Dubai-based sustainable developer URB is leading the project, and the route will feature a “climate-controlled all-year environment” to make walking and cycling more viable for residents, in line with the Emirate’s 20-minute city initiative.

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The elaborate cycle track is currently still at the R&D stage but is already set to feature leisure and community spaces along its length, providing “an enjoyable mode of sustainable transport, no matter the weather conditions,” the development team said in a recent statement.

In November 2022, URB won two contracts for cycling paths in Dubai’s Al Khawaneej and Mushrif, which form part of a 278-km cycling masterplan for the region. The team will use their experience to develop the new climate-controlled urban highway.

News

Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE

The comprehensive agreement with Abu Dhabi’s government includes a training program, infrastructure development, and a manufacturing presence.

Published

16 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Nour Nasir

joby to establish all-electric air taxi ecosystem across the uae

Joby Aviation

All-electric aircraft company Joby Aviation has secured three separate agreements with departments of Abu Dhabi’s government that lay the groundwork to develop and scale air taxi services in the Emirate and beyond.

The deal was signed at the recent DRIFTx thought-leadership and exhibition platform and gave Joby exclusive rights to not only operate air taxi services in Dubai but also unlock inter-emirate services between Abu Dhabi.

joby air taxi partnership abu dhabi

Joe Ben Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: “Today’s agreement demonstrates the incredible momentum behind the adoption of clean flight across the UAE. We’re looking forward to delivering a fantastic experience for our future customers in Abu Dhabi and we’re excited to be unlocking the potential for zero-emissions flight between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We’re grateful for the support and collaboration of our governmental partners and the entire ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and we remain deeply impressed by their commitment to building out a world-class aviation ecosystem in the Emirate”.

Joby’s all-electric aircraft went on display for the first time in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina at the DRIFTx event. The air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers and can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour (321 km/h). The zero-emission craft is said to have an extremely low acoustic footprint and can travel a maximum of 100 miles (161 km) on a single charge.

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Once operational, Joby’s air taxi fleet would enable fast, clean travel across the UAE, with journeys between Abu Dhabi to Dubai taking just 30 minutes compared with two hours by car during peak times.

Joby continues to work closely with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to help the Emirates become a world leader in the introduction of air taxis. Additional testing and analysis will be required before inter-emirate travel becomes a reality, but the cutting-edge technology already appears to have great potential.