New Salik toll gates to be installed on Dubai’s Safa Park running track
Users of Run Salik Run will be charged depending on their speed
Unveiled this morning, the first phase of the scheme – entitled Run Salik Run – will see two gates installed on the 3.5-kilometre track, one by the park’s main entrance and one halfway around. Once the system comes into effect on April 1, anyone using the track will be required to purchase a special pre-paid card which will be automatically charged each time it passes under a gate.
“Run Salik Run is part of our ongoing efforts to streamline traffic on the Safa Park track, which has seen a huge rise in numbers thanks to various fitness initiatives and the annual post-Christmas drive,” said Run Salik Run director Abdulla Thompson.
“We’re hoping the new scheme will encourage people to utilise the city’s extensive public transport network, and are aiming for a 40 per cent reduction in bottlenecks and traffic jams around the park by June.”
Run Salik Run will apply to both runners and casual strollers who take to the track, but charges will differ depending on the speed of each user. In a bid to keep traffic on the track moving at a steady rate, a two-tier payment system has been installed. Anyone travelling at 10kmph or over will be charged AED2 each time they pass through one of the gates, while those going slower will have AED4 deducted.
“Our state-of-the-art technology will work out your average speed across the whole track, so don’t go thinking you can just put on a quick spurt as you go under each gate to pay less,” said Thompson, who added that security guards would be employed to ensure people “didn’t simply jog around the outside”.
To build awareness of the new toll, a publicity drive will be launched next month entitled ‘Check Your Cash Before You Dash’, which will see leaflets handed out to joggers, together with specially adhesive Salik tags that can be affixed to sports clothing.
“From day one, we’re going to be issuing a strict AED200 penalty for those who pass under the gates without a Salik account or enough money loaded up to pay for their journey,” warned Johnson.
Depending on the success of Run Salik Run, the second phase – ostensibly set for late 2014 – will see three more Salik gates installed on the running track.
Dubai Foodie: 
Y'knou-wat Amin: 
Don't tell them you name, Pike!: 
Jimmy Hill: 
Stefano:
Haha slower than 10kmph 4Dhs
Speed traps?
For a country with such a high rate of Diabetics and very few outdoor excercise options, instead of tolls in response to the large active crowds – they should make more parks!
This has to be a hoax, if not this is truly disgusting! How is anybody allowed to charge people to run? It is a horrible idea and whoever came up with the idea have no brain!
Seriously !!!
seriously??
Ruarii, it is fake
As it says at the top in the description of the page, ‘the finest satire in the Middle East’. It is similar to News Biscuit and the Daily Onion. The whole paper is looking at the lighter side of news stories. They are putting up new Salik gates but in SZR. Laughter is the best medicine. (A saying from my country)..
Lol.. This is to be effective on 1st April.. “Fool’s Day”.. Definitely a Hoax.. How can u charge people for walkin.. Seriously.. The creaters of this post should either get a Job or atleast a Life!!
lovely Satire !!! The freedom of the Press at its very best lol !!!!
Run Salik Run .. hahahahahahahahahahahaha
obesity and diabetes are soaring in the Middle East! Government should support people to become healthier, not the opposite! It will cost them less to make more parks than cover the medical bills, in addition to loosing people and human capacity resulting from chronic deseases!!! Evolution is forward, not backward!
Haha classic! Love the comments even more lol! Sooooooo stoooopid!
daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very funnnnnny………………..
Stupidest idea ever!
stupidest idea !!
so they want only people who can afford to run should run !! ludacris!
April’s fool, check the date when the system comes into effect: April 1st! It’s a viral campaign…
It’s a Satirical post…of course it’s not true!
This is just stupid….. ! -.-
Why not let people run for free…….. Charging them depending on their speed is bullshit!
This is a crap idea! -.-
People, calm down. It’s satire.
Dying at run, Salic, run. Lolllllllllllllllllllllll
There is also too much people congestion in bur dubai. they must install more run.salik.run gates…especially in meena bazaar area
There is a rumour next one is gonna be in Dubai Mall near fountain
they should put a salik on night out ladies.
Some people really don’t have two brain cells to rub together, do they?? Read the masthead – the word ‘satirical’ should set some alarm bells ringing! I guess it may be a cultural thing – is satire uncommon in the Middle East & southeast Asia?
hahahaha this is so funny, imagine salik on mall toilets??
run with salik
On a related note, does anyone know where I can buy a Giraffe (broken in for human use with saddle included) or indeed has a Giraffe they are looking to sell? I’d love to be able to ride one around Safa on the weekends. If anyone can help please let me know.
I saw a farm offering miniature giraffes on the interweb last year, some Russian outfit. They were pricey and had a long waiting list, I’m not sure if mine will ever arrive. I’m going to sell it on commission at Al Ain Class, keep an eye on the showroom
I can sell you a Giraffe! its a bit deformed and is in need of some loving. He’s called ‘Hoppy’ and was born so deformed people mistake him for a Rabbit. Yours for only 1000AED.
Free Giraffe insurance included.
Dear Anonymustapha, I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear that you are ready to allow true love into your life by adopting a Giraffe. I promise you, it will not be a decision that you will regret. But first, please allow me to offer my qualifications which you may peruse at your convenience. I was born in the Savannah in the late 1990′s, so in Giraffe years I am what you may call middle aged. Now you may think that this disadvantages me as I may not have the spring in my step of a younger Giraffe, but if you did you could not be more mistaken. I believe I now offer the perfect mix of just young enough to be full of ife and energy, but just old enough to have acquired wisdom and experience to not only be your companion, but to an extent your soul mate as well. I come equipped with my own saddle, and beyond riding I can also help with general household chores – do you have any work you need done on your roof? I’m a a very handy tiler. Looking forward to finding a loving home with my new best friend. Brian. Roarrrr
Dear Anonymustapha,
I apologise for the response from Brian the Giraffe, which may have misled you to believe that indeed a giraffe was willing and able to offer himself to you for adoption. Notwithstanding your unequivocal request for a weekend-only hoofed loper, “Brian” has offered himself as a full time soul mate and, indeed, quasi-house slave. This was mistake number one, and runs contrary to his claim of having middle aged wisdom. Secondly, I wonder how a giraffe would be good at tiling a roof. How often have you seen a giraffe using its front legs to perform any kind of task whilst keeping its hind legs planted? After watching National Geographic, David Attenborough, Bear Grylls, Sally Jesse Raphael and Thundercats, I have never seen a giraffe is such a position. Now, for number three, I have never ever heard a giraffe roar. Perhaps this is the sound of pain emitted when our long-necked mammals attempt the aforementioned position. Finally – the assumption that you are looking for love from a giraffe is, to be frank, slightly wrong. Anyway, I apologised at the beginning of this note, because after reading Brian’s sales pitch I became suspicious of my pet Alaskan King Crab, Neville. I often catch Neville writing fraudulent things about himself, and Brian the Giraffe is just the kind of hi-jinx he is capable of. Sure enough, when I suggested to Neville that he head up the ladder to mosaic my roof, he blushed (which is quite hard to tell on an Alaskan, but I could tell all the same)…”Why are you blushing?” I asked. “Because the seaweed” replied Neville – always sharp witted, but I had him when I threw back a “Nice one Brian!” which prompted a claw raise, a sure sign of guilt in any crab. He is now hiding under my silverbeet plant out the back, but I will reprimand him in due course.
Yours,
Colin Pigeon
Whoever will run first then it is free forever!
You… Pigeon… You lying pigdog! BrianTheGiraffe actually RupertTheBear, escaped property of Platinum Bearhugs Company. We find Rupert, we use skin as womans sexy underwear in northern Turkmenistan. Ps – how much for Neville?
Very Humouristic and creative
APRIL 1st gave the article away.
You’re a sharp one! Of course there is the headline of the page, which might have been a pointer
Rupert you are persistent one and clearly smarter than the average bear I’ll give you that.
I bet you’re really good at stealing picnic baskets too aren’t you? I knew a bear like that once, he was shot dead by by a park ranger after catching rabies.
I suppose you could come in useful if I found myself in wondering in Safa Park and felt a bit peckish; but alas I have Zaatar W Zeit programmed on speed dial and they deliver to the park so I’m sorry, but I’ve got my heart set on a Giraffe.
Colin, where did you buy Neville from? He sounds like a hilarious crab, I wonder if the pet store he came from also stock Giraffes?
I haven’t thought of a name for the Giraffe yet but I think I might go for Geoffrey. Do you think Toy’s R Us will mind? The probably don’t want more than one Geoffrey the Giraffe in the public domain, it would just confuse people.
Does anyone have the telephone number or fax machine for Toy’s R Us Head Quarters? I should probably run this by them first.
I wonder if their Toys R Us HQ is made of megablocks? They must have lots of megablocks lying about so I suppose it would be cheaper if they built their offices out of these than bricks and mortar.
First of all I need the Giraffe though.
Irgoff, you seem like an amiable sort of fellow, do they have Giraffe for sale in Turkmenistan?
hahaha.. wat the hell is rong with u guys.. is a freckin joke.. dint u read the name of the guy??
abdullah thompson.. that gives them away:P
Oooooooooh yes…that’s right….I knew something smelled whiffy! April 1st gave it right away! There was always something nagging! Maybe it was Brian the Giraffe!
Guys…the name itself is fake…’Abdulla Thompson’ it seems
Every other radio station and television channel is rabbiting on about obesity and diabetics and now they want to charge people to lose weight or keep fit.
Ridiculous! Jobs worths!
Stop thinking of ways to make money for nothing and start earning it!
c’mon….read properly from the top. Read what you are reading and in which publication you are reading…
Reading your instruction to read what I am reading in a publication I am reading just makes me feel…dizzy.
If this is true story. then looks hungry for $$
If you don’t like it go home.
If I piggy back someone through the Salik gate can I get discount for pooling?
What the Salik is Ludacris going to do about it???? LOLOLOLOL I think you mean ludicrous. Which, of course, applies to you for believing Run Salik Run is real and then shouting Ludacris! My stomach hurts I am laughing so much….
Begs the question really… would you rather fight 10 ‘Ostrich sized’ Giraffes or 1 ‘Giraffe sized’ Ostrich?
I’m an animal lover so I would consider doing neither. An ostrich though that’s not a bad idea. I hear they are delicious too so there’s a fringe benefit once the beast is no longer able to bear the weight of a human. Does anyone know where I can buy an Ostrich? Only serious offers considered. Ruperts need not apply.
And damn those things are fast. You’d save 2 dirhams every time you burned through the Salik run gates on your own sleek ostrich, rather than some gangly giraffe or shambling bear (who in my opinion seems to be Very High Maintenance – Igroff, you’re better off without him).
So, anyhow, I may be able to get your bird for you. It’s in kit form – more of a large egg really, but it has ostrich potential.
Does assembly require super glue? I hate super glue, I always end up getting it on my fingers, rub my eyes and spend the night in A&E. Sometimes when I that happens I use it as an excuse to have an x-ray by faking a broken arm. I think I’m two scans away from developing super powers. I’m not sure what those will be but I’m hoping it’s the ability to assemble things that require super glue without getting super glue in my eyes, that would come in handy.
Can I need to paste the Salik sticker on my forehead!!!!
LOL; Instead a cool Healthy Drive can be created from this crazy News Satire.
A new “EARN SALIK EARN”! Scheme where Health Concious Dubai residents could “earn” free Salik recharge upon completion of the 3.5Km track.
100 Runners / Joggers can avail a Salik Free Day on the roads when they Run / Jog every day @ the Park!
Paid to them via a special credit charged to their Salik I D nos upon completion of Track. Hence creating a healthy GSR initiative.
Regards.
Healthy Dubaiite.
some people really think from their bladder and use their brain in place of their bladder. Pissed off the idea.
To Alan Sunlotion; no bro, the salik sticker has to be affixed inside your fly. Mr.Thompsun will be there every morning, he will open the fly of everyone and look at inside to check the salik sticker. ha ha ha…
OMG! !! IM at a loss for words at the STUPIDTY of this idea! !!! Don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Beyond embarrassing!!!!
Dear Colin and Anonymustafa, thank you both for the wonderful business idea. I’m just readying my team of maids and gardeners for a trip to Khor Fakkan (the drivers will have to stay in the cars, obviously, one cant leave a gold plated range rover just lying around, people try to pry the crystals off them – anyway I digress) The said maids and gardeners will be equipped with home made tridents (I’ve been looking for a way to use up the wire coat hangers which come with my dry cleaned underwear) and will chase down as many crabs as possible in the time it takes me to eat my picnic and before the champers gets warm. We will then bring them back to the JLT lake and release them to grow to an acceptable pet size, I estimate this should take around 6 months when they will then be taken to one of the farmers markets near by and sold as ethically raised pets. Colin, quite frankly Neville sounds like an ass and Alaskans are always untrustworthy, shall I put your name down for a couple of replacements, I think Bernard and Ernest would suit. Anonymustafa, if we wait around a year the largest one should be big enough to be ridden with the advantage that you will be able to leave him in the lake at Safa park whilst you have breakfast at The Archive (make sure you remove the supplied saddle beforehand) Cheers medears.
I agree with this iniative. I believe the authorities must go one step further and do the needful by installing Salik gates on all footpaths on the Palm Jumeirah in order to cut down on the number of fat ugly poms walking with knotted hankies on their heads whilst wearing socks with Roman sandals and walk shorts. GET BACK IN YOUR CARS UGLY PEOPLE!
Mmmmmm. I agree with the Flumpet. But Gavtek from the sound of your message you are a racist Aussie (or is it Aussie Indian with words like ‘do the needful’). Anyway last time I was in this English colony downunder all the Women looked like fat blokes in boiler suits ready to do a days work in the local garage and then mud wrestling for a night job so they can make enough cash to fuel their alcoholic lifestyles.
Agreeably, this initiative should have received mixed reviews …i also enjoyed reading the comments
After a lonely summer last year, I decided to buy a giraffe to keep me company in my one bed apartment. My new giraffe met with a terrible accident whilst driving him home. I spent over an hour trying to get it into my Fiat 500 for the trip back to the apartment. Eventually, we managed to set off with the giraffes neck poking through the sun roof. I was concerned for the giraffes safety so I decided a flashing strobe light strapped to its head would warn other motorists of a ‘high load’. Unfortunately, I forgot about the new low bridge on al shamal road.
My question is, does anyone know of a good valet and sunroof repair place in Doha?
Pan Arabia’s satire is great and puts a laugh on my face, but I have to admit I enjoy the comments more than the actual articles…. some people take things just too seriously