Ferry service launched in Dubai, and roads in Sharjah are ready for the book fair on November 4

The organizer of the Sharjah Book Fair, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has announced an expansion of transportation infrastructure for visitors. Guests will now have access to daily bus transport from Dubai and Ajman, as well as free boat rides and additional free parking.

Three daily bus routes will connect Dubai and Ajman with the fair venue. Furthermore, shuttles will transport visitors from new parking areas to the Sharjah Expo Centre.

These transport services will operate throughout the duration of the fair, providing residents of Sharjah and neighboring emirates with more options to reach the Sharjah Expo Centre.

Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai will be transformed into a cycling track on Sunday, November 1st, as part of the opening of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, marking the return of the Dubai Ride event.

This free event offers two routes: a more challenging 12-kilometer route along Sheikh Zayed Road for experienced cyclists and an easier 4-kilometer Family Route in the city center for children, families, and beginner participants. Participants are advised to review the following information before heading out.

Is it still possible to register?

Although participation in the event is free, registration is mandatory. Participants must complete online registration to receive their race number. Organizers strongly advise registering immediately and not relying on same-day registration.

Every participant must wear a bib number. Without it, they will not be allowed to participate. Adults must register separately. Parents or legal guardians can register up to three children, provided they agree to a waiver of liability for all persons under 18 years of age.

Collecting Race Numbers

Race numbers can be collected at the Fitness Village Dubai Municipality, located in Zabeel Park, Gate 2, until Saturday, October 31st. The collection point's operating hours on Saturday are set from 8 AM to 11 PM. Cyclists should bring their registration QR code or electronic confirmation. A friend or family member can collect a number for another person if they have the QR code. Participants who opted for a Dubai Ride T-shirt during registration can pick it up along with their number.

What time does Dubai Ride start?

The event is scheduled to begin at 6 AM, with the cycling tracks opening at 6:15 AM. All participants are expected to start moving by 7:30 AM, and the track will close at 8 AM. Organizers recommend arriving between 4 AM and 6 AM, especially those traveling to the start zone by car. Since roads around the route will be closed in advance, being late may result in missing the event.

What routes are available?

The 12 km route along Sheikh Zayed Road is intended for experienced cyclists. It passes by landmarks such as the Museum of the Future, the Dubai Water Canal, and the Burj Khalifa. Participants can start from one of five starting points: Museum of the Future, Al Satwa, Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay, and Downtown Dubai.

The 4-kilometer Family Route in the city center is a flatter loop around the Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, and Burj Khalifa, designed for cyclists of all ages and skill levels.

It is important to note that Dubai Ride is not a race. Participants must adhere to a speed limit of 25 km/h and finish the ride at a gate corresponding to their chosen starting point.

Can I use the metro?

Yes, the Dubai Metro will start operating at 3 AM on Sunday, earlier than its usual Sunday schedule, to help participants reach the venue. However, there is an important restriction: bicycles are prohibited on the metro. Cyclists using public transport will need to find an alternative way to transport their bicycle to the start zone. Furthermore, RTA has advised metro users to have at least 30 dirhams on their Nol card.

Where can I park?

RTA has designated three parking locations: Dubai World Trade Centre parking, Dubai Mall parking, and Dubai Mall Zabeel parking. Parking spaces are limited, so participants should arrive early and follow the instructions of staff and signs.

What must I bring?

Essential items include a fully functional bicycle, a helmet, and the attached participant number. Helmets are required for all cyclists, including children riding in bike seats or trailers. Organizers also ask participants to bring a Dubai Ride T-shirt and a filled water bottle. Large bags are not permitted, and baggage drop-off or changing facilities are not provided. It is recommended to wear closed athletic shoes and comfortable clothing; it may be cool before dawn, but the temperature will rise quickly.

Pedal-assisted e-bikes, tandem bicycles, children's bikes, and trailers are allowed, provided they are safe for the route. E-scooters, motorcycles, and other motorized vehicles are prohibited. Mechanics, marshals, medical teams, and water stations will be available along the entire route.

The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced a tender for engineering consulting and design services for a new project—the country's fourth federal highway. This project, designated E-911, is planned to be 68 kilometers long.

According to the tender documentation, the E-911 route will connect the border between Dubai and Sharjah with the Al Sughada Road (E-87) in Ras Al Khaimah. The project envisions having between 12 and 16 lanes in both directions. Furthermore, it will include an 8-kilometer connecting road linking the new corridor to Emirates Road (E-611) in Umm Al Quwain.

The documents indicate that the route has been approved by the relevant local authorities of the emirates, and the conceptual design is already complete. Under Tender No. 2026-022, the selected consultant will be responsible for reviewing and confirming the finished conceptual design, conducting necessary technical studies, and preparing the preliminary, detailed design and tender documentation. The Ministry invited Category A consultants to submit their applications by October 23, 2026.

The E-911 corridor will become the country's fourth major federal highway, alongside Al Ittihad Road (E-11), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E-311), and Emirates Road (E-611). The official UAE government portal states that E-11 is the longest road in the country, stretching from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah, while E-311 connects the emirates, and E-611 offers an alternative route between Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates.

Project valued at 6 billion dirhams

The fourth federal corridor was one of the major infrastructure projects reviewed by the UAE Council for Infrastructure and Housing at its first meeting in 2026. According to Khaleej Times, this corridor is expected to feature 10 main intersections and four flyovers, with an estimated cost of 6 billion dirhams. The Council noted that the project's goal is to improve connectivity between the emirates, increase road capacity, and reduce congestion.

At the same meeting, the council also reviewed plans to enhance transport links between Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. These plans include a proposed network of 10 routes supported by Bus Rapid Transit systems and dedicated lanes, connecting to metro stations and major city centers. Officials added that work is underway to improve Ajman's connections to the Third and Fourth Federal Corridors to provide drivers with alternative routes.

Traffic issues raised in FNC

The proposed highway emerges against a backdrop of persistent concerns regarding traffic jams between Dubai and the Northern Emirates, especially during peak hours. This issue has been raised in the Federal National Council (FNC), where members have called for solutions to the growing number of vehicles on the roads.

During the FNC session in March 2025, council member Dr. Adnan Al Hammadi questioned the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure about the deteriorating road situation between Dubai and Sharjah. Al Hammadi stated that an employee commuting daily between the two emirates could spend approximately 460 hours a year on the road, equivalent to nearly 60 working days.

Responding to these concerns, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei reported that development work on key federal road corridors began in 2024 and is ongoing. Al Mazrouei also pointed to the need to update policies governing vehicle ownership and registration, noting that car growth in Dubai has exceeded 8 percent compared to the global average of about 2 percent.

The issue was brought up again in the FNC in April 2026, when Al Hammadi once more raised the topic of population growth, vehicle registration, and congestion. He called for studies on future population growth, the introduction of restrictions on heavy transport during peak hours, and stricter control over driver's licenses and vehicle registration. In response, Al Mazrouei stated that a major project is being implemented to solve the congestion problem between Sharjah and Dubai. He presented the plans for the Fourth Federal Corridor, indicating that the proposed highway could handle approximately 360,000 trips per day.

This project is part of the UAE's efforts to expand its road network and address overload issues, as the number of vehicles and population continues to grow. In November 2025, Al Mazrouei announced a national investment program for roads and transport worth 170 billion dirhams until 2030, which includes plans to expand three existing major federal highways and study the construction of a fourth. The Minister emphasized that the program aims to increase the efficiency of the federal road network by 73 percent within five years.