A task force has been set up to help ensure the safe use of electric scooters across the UAE.
A committee comprising members of the Federal Traffic Council was formed in response to reports of reckless behaviour from riders.
The scooters have grown in popularity across the globe in recent years and have been viewed as an eco-friendly "last mile" alternative to cars.
The Federal Traffic Council does not have ultimate decision-making powers in each emirate, but can make recommendations based on its findings.
It's essential we organise the use of such vehicles through legislation that will protect members of the public
Brig Ahmed Al Naqbi,
Federal Traffic Council
This new committee will work closely with relevant authorities to develop plans to regulate their use.
“Forming the committee followed observations of e-scooters being used in unsafe places and of riders disturbing other road users,” said Brig Ahmed Al Naqbi, director of the traffic and patrols department at Ras Al Khaimah Police.
“It's essential we organise the use of such vehicles through legislation that will protect members of the public.
“Their use should be restricted to the tracks dedicated for that purpose and users must wear protective gear, including helmets and reflective jackets, especially when driving at night.”
Dubai began a year-long trial of e-scooter rentals in five districts in October, 2020. The resulting half a million trips were used to assess how e-scooters can be safely integrated into the emirate's transport system.
The scheme, led by the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority, is being extended to 10 areas of the emirate this year, including City Walk and Palm Jumeirah.
Riders cannot use rental e-scooters outside of designated trial zones, police have said.
E-scooters were banned from public parks in Dubai in May last year. Dubai Municipality said the move was to protect other park users.
Citywide, e-scooter rentals have been outlawed since early 2019, amid concerns over their irresponsible use. Riding privately owned e-scooters is permitted.
But concerns remain over the risk they can pose to users and pedestrians.
In March last year, The National reported how UAE hospitals had reported a series of injuries caused by e-scooter accidents.
Doctors said broken bones, bruises and scrapes from falling off the two-wheelers – some can travel at more than 30 kilometres an hour – were common.
Brig Al Naqbi said traffic patrols carried out by Ras Al Khaimah Police had found many young people using e-scooters in unsafe conditions.
Lt Col Saif Abdullah Al Falasi, director of traffic and patrols at Ajman Police, said driving e-scooters on main roads was against the law.
“They lack security means and can go at speeds exceeding 20kph, but they are widespread because of their cheap price,” he said.
The officer said e-scooter manufacturers should specify the age users should be.
“This is because they are aware of the dangers if these vehicles were used by children,” he said.
In June last year, two children were struck by cars while riding e-scooters in Sharjah.
One of them, an Emirati, 13, sustained serious injuries when hit by a car near the Al Lou’Lou’a roundabout in Khor Fakkan.
The other, a fifth grader in the emirate, died 15 days after being run over by a vehicle while riding his e-scooter.
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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Dust and sand storms compared
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Dust storm
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Sweet%20Tooth
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TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
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Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Score
Third Test, Day 1
New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat
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Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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Power: 905hp
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On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE
Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”
