Five riders were killed and 29 injured in accidents involving electric scooters and e-bikes in Dubai in the first eight months of the year, prompting a renewed safety warning from police.
Police issued more than 10,000 fines to people flouting safety rules during the same period, official figures released on Tuesday have shown.
Maj Gen Saif Al Mazroui, director of Dubai Police's traffic department, said the statistics emphasised the need to tackle reckless riders.
He called on the public to adhere to safety regulations when using the electric vehicles. Rules include using specific paths, adhering to speed limits and wearing helmets.
"We urge riders to adhere to road safety guidelines to avoid accidents," Maj Gen Al Mazroui said.
“Cyclists should respect traffic laws and stick to designated paths. They should wear reflective vests and helmets, as well as adhering to traffic lights and road signs.
"It is important the bike has functioning brakes and lights."
Dubai Police are focused on reducing the number of breaches "and apprehending reckless drivers to ensure road safety and minimise fatalities", he said.
Police said Dh300 ($81) fines could be imposed for those who use e-scooters and e-bikes dangerously.
Repeat offenders can have their e-scooter or e-bike confiscated for up to 30 days.
Dubai Police seized 8,786 bicycles and electric bikes in the first six months of the year, under rules introduced in March last year to improve safety.
E-scooter rules
The regulations state that anyone riding an e-scooter or e-bike must have a driving licence issued by the Roads and Transport Authority. People under the age of 16 are not permitted to operate an e-bike or e-scooter.
Bikes cannot be used on roads where the speed limit is 60kph or more.
Cyclists should not ride on jogging or walking tracks and reckless acts, including hooking to a vehicle while cycling, are prohibited.
Carrying passengers on bicycles and e-bikes is not permitted unless the bikes have seats for them.
The resolution states that cyclists under 12 should be accompanied by a cyclist who is 18 or older.
In March, Dubai Police carried out an awareness campaign to emphasise breaches of e-scooter and bicycle rules, including failing to wear helmets and travelling against the flow of traffic.
The UAE has encouraged the public to use alternative modes of transport to help reduce traffic and cut emissions as part of the country's efforts to achieve net zero.
Dubai has been at the forefront of efforts to promote the safe use of e-scooters.
In October 2022, transport authorities announced plans to double the length of e-scooter and cycle tracks to almost 400km, as well as reducing speed limits to 30kph on some roads to improve rider safety.
Eleven new routes were to be opened for e-scooters and bicycles this year under the plans.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Kandahar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ric%20Roman%20Waugh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EGerard%20Butler%2C%20Navid%20Negahban%2C%20Ali%20Fazal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
