Abu Dhabi Police: fines of up to Dh500 for flouting cycle and e-scooter safety rules

Cyclists and electric scooter riders who flout safety rules face fines of up to Dh500 ($136), Abu Dhabi Police have said.

In collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, police introduced the new fines on Thursday.

These range from Dh200 to Dh500.

Offences include riding modified bikes and scooters that do not meet safety requirements, not using dedicated cycle lanes, not wearing the correct safety gear and carrying a passenger.

Last month, Abu Dhabi police posted a video showing officers issuing fines to riders of illegal vehicles, following a two-month awareness campaign in collaboration with the ITC.

The ITC announced in June that only electric two-wheelers that are operated while the rider is standing are allowed.

Scooters where the rider sits on a low seat are banned, said the centre.

It showed the three types that are illegal: a traditional moped scooter, a traditional moped scooter with a basket in front and a stand-up e-scooter that has been modified with a seat.

The ban came amid safety concerns about modifications. Some modified e-scooters can reach speeds of 30 kilometres an hour.

Fitting seats to e-scooters and chunky wheels to bikes has become common.

“It is important to follow traffic and safety instructions. Two types of electric scooters can be used in Abu Dhabi. The bicycle and electric scooters. Electric scooters with seats have been banned,” said Brig Mohammed Al Hemeri, Abu Dhabi Police's director of Patrols and Traffic.

For e-scooters, the regulation is for “a minimum of a two-wheeled vehicle equipped with electric engine, without a seat and the rider should be standing”, he said.

Officials said having a low seat on an e-scooter that was designed for riding standing up could affect a rider's balance.

This ruling was extended to scooters often used for delivery services.

Brig Al Hemeri also emphasised the importance of using the correct paths.

“Cyclists should slow down in busy areas and only be allowed to ride on designated tracks. There are signs that demonstrate the tracks,” he said.

In the absence of a designated path, cyclists should use side roads.

Officials also said cycles and e-scooters must only carry one person and riders must wear a helmet and obey the rules of the road.