Variable Salik tolls, extended Metro for Dubai Ride on 1 November
By Dubai Currents Staff2 min read
Motorists driving through Salik toll gates in Dubai on Sunday, 1 November will face variable charges under a special pricing schedule linked to the Dubai Ride cycling event. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed that peak-hour journeys will cost Dh6, low-peak trips Dh4, and late-night off-peak travel will be free.
Variable toll schedule
The variable rates, part of Salik’s existing dynamic pricing system, apply on the day of the event. Peak hours – Dh6 – run from 6am to 10am and from 4pm to 8pm. Low-peak hours – Dh4 – cover 10am to 4pm and 8pm to 1am. Off-peak travel between 1am and 6am is free. A 5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) is added to all toll transactions.
Extended Metro and parking options
The RTA has also announced extended Dubai Metro services to help cyclists and spectators reach the event. Metro will start at 3am on Sunday, earlier than the usual Sunday schedule, allowing participants to arrive before cycling routes open. The round-trip Metro fare is Dh30, and passengers are advised to check their nol Card balance before travelling.
Three main parking locations have been designated for participants: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Mall and Zabeel. Parking provider Parkin has highlighted additional options including City Walk Barrierless Parking, 336AP Trade Centre Second and 335AP Trade Centre First. Parkonic has suggested further locations – Dubai Opera, Souk Al Bahar and Emaar Boulevard in Downtown Dubai. Cyclists should check parking availability and terms before setting off, and consider the distance from their chosen spot to their registered starting gate, as parking close to individual gates may be limited.
Event details and advice
Dubai Ride, part of the opening weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge running from 31 October to 29 November, returns on Sunday, 1 November. Sheikh Zayed Road will be transformed into a cycling route taking participants past some of the city’s best-known landmarks. The route opens at 6.15am, the latest start time is 7.30am, and the route closes at 8am. Entry is free but registration is compulsory. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys ahead, check road closure announcements and allow extra travel time around the event route. Cyclists should plan their journeys in advance and allow enough time to reach their registered starting gates.
