E-bikes to ply in select areas of Dubai from April 13th

E-scooters will be allowed on permitted cycling tracks in 10 districts across Dubai from April 13, according to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the General HQ of Dubai Police.

The decision is in line with the resolution endorsed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council, regulating the use of scooters in Dubai.

This is also part of the efforts to make Dubai a bicycle-friendly city and reflects the huge success of the trial operation of e-scooters that started in October 2020.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that the initial phase will cover Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Internet City, Al Rigga, 2nd of December Street, The Palm Jumeirah, and City Walk.

It will also cover safe roads and tracks within specific zones at Al Qusais, Al Mankhool, and Al Karama, in addition to the 167-km long tracks designated for bicycles and scooters across Dubai, excluding the cycling tracks at Saih Assalam, Al Qudra and Meydan, he said.

Selection by Specific Criteria

The selection of these districts was guided by specific criteria, such as high population density, special development areas, areas served by public transport and metro stations, the availability of integrated infrastructure, and areas with a high level of traffic safety.

“About 500,000 journeys were made until the end of 2021. By the end of this month, RTA will launch through its website (www.rta.ae) a link enabling interested individuals to apply for free to obtain permits for riding e-scooters on safe roads identified by RTA. The process involves attending training courses and passing an online test,” Al Tayer explained.

Encouraging e-bikes

Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said that the resolution will encourage the use of electric bikes and scooters for mobility. It cements the government drive to rank Dubai as a bicycle-friendly city, considering bikes safe and an eco-friendly mobility means over short distances.

Al Marri confirmed that they were working with RTA and strategic partners to realize the strategies of the Dubai Government. He praised the efforts of the concerned departments at the Dubai Police to enforce the implementation of safety and security stipulations and ensure compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.

“Dubai Police is keen to ensure the compliance of road users with the applicable rules, in line with the policy aimed to make Dubai the ideal place for living and doing business, the favorite and safest destination of visitors, and the city with the least carbon footprint worldwide. The step also contributes to realizing the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. It is our duty in Dubai Police to control the road, and ensure that cyclists, e-scooter riders and users of all other mobility means comply with the safety conditions to protect them, as well as others, against the risks of roads,” the police chief added.

RTA called on cyclists to park the shared e-scooters of operators in the designated parking spaces only. They should not block the movement of traffic and pedestrians or the use of public parking. It urged them to avoid violating the conditions and regulations provided for in the Resolution and decisions issued.

The Resolution states that the parking of the bike or electric scooter in other than the designated parking spaces in a way that may obstruct the movement of vehicles or pedestrians, or pose risk to road users, will result in a fine of $54.44.

It may be recalled that the authorities have rolled out e-scooter service for commuters on a trial basis in October 2020 in five places in five zones including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai Internet City, 2nd of December Street, Al Rigga, and Jumeirah Lake Towers for one year.

The trail period proved to be satisfactory and the authorities have added five more areas allowing people to ply on e-scooters.