Dubai Cracks Down on E-Scooter and Bike Rule-Breakers
For the city cyclists, e-scooter rebels, and anyone who's ever yelled “watch out!” on a sidewalk.
In a move to enhance road safety and tame the growing chaos on cycling tracks and e-scooter lanes, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police have introduced a brand-new Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit.
The squad will hit the streets to monitor, educate, and — when needed — fine cyclists and e-scooter users who break traffic rules.
Their mission? Keep the bike lanes flowing, cut down on accidents, and make sure every ride — whether it’s for fun, fitness, or that quick Karak run — follows the rules.
Officials confirmed that unit members will be stationed across high-traffic zones, including key soft mobility corridors and cycling paths, where they'll enforce helmet rules, no-passenger policies, lane discipline, and more.
The move comes in light of some pretty intense numbers: e-scooter and bike accidents in Dubai totaled 254 last year, resulting in 10 deaths and 259 injuries — and this year’s off to a troubling start with two e-scooter fatalities in February alone.
Meanwhile, ridership is on the rise. RTA stats show bike trips jumped from 44 million in 2023 to 46.6 million in 2024, and e-scooter usage surged from 30 million to 32.3 million, marking a noticeable 8% spike.
And yet — violations are keeping pace. Dubai logged nearly 40,000 personal mobility offenses in 2024, including reckless riding, no helmets, and swerving into traffic.
As Thomas Edelmann, founder of RoadSafetyUAE, put it:
“It is beyond comprehension what's happening with regards to e-scooters… We see underage children with no helmet, no reflective vests, no lights, driving at their will on roads, against the flow of the traffic.”
Among the more innovative responses? A five-foot-tall, 200kg robot now patrols the Jumeirah 3 beach path, scanning for rule-breakers and acting as an automated traffic enforcer.
Current rules are clear:
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Helmets and protective gear are mandatory
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Riding against traffic is a no-go
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No passengers or heavy items allowed
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Only use designated lanes
Penalties can reach up to Dh300 — so yeah, that Dh20 ride might cost more than your brunch if you’re not careful.
Bottom line? Dubai’s message is simple: Ride smart, stay safe, and save the stunts for the skatepark.
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