Residents of Abu Dhabi can no longer ride bicycles in the municipality's parks.

According to Abdul Aziz Al Jeraishi, director of Parks and Recreation Facilities Division at Abu Dhabi Municipality, the blanket ban has been in place for some time, but had never been enforced.

The reason for the blanket ban was to prevent large groups of youths from riding their bikes through the parks, disrupting the enjoyment of families and those using the facilities.

The effect, though, of this ban, is to take away the peaceful past time of cycling because of the actions of a few disruptive youths.

Perhaps the municipality should work, then, on providing a network of bike paths through the city.

There is hardly a more relaxing pastime than gently riding around a grassy park, taking in the sun, enjoying the ambience of a beautiful day.

Let not the actions of some youth spoil this for all.