Abu Dhabi launches awareness drive for e-scooter, bicycle riders
Local authorities have launched an awareness campaign on riding bicycles and e-scooters safely in Abu Dhabi.
In collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi started a public awareness campaign: ‘For Your Safety’ urging cyclists and e-scooter riders to follow safety requirements and instructions.
The campaign aims to raise the understanding of riders on the importance of riding safely, and the necessity of following the requirements of bicycles and electric bikes regulations that were recently stipulated by the ITC.
The ITC will publish a manual on technical conditions and requirements for the usage of bicycles and electric bikes in the emirate.
The manual seeks to provide instructions and directions to bicycle and electric bike users. It consists of technical requirements and types of bicycles and electric bikes authorised for usage and clarifies all fines that are related to non-compliance with the instructions, standards and safety requirements, and failure to adhere to roads, pathways and the authorised areas for bicycle and electric bike usage.
The manual emphasises the importance that a bicycle or electric bike should be used by one person at a time.
Also, riders have been urged not to drive on main roads and highways, pedestrian paths, and sidewalks unless permitted by the ITC, and to use approved lanes.
The ITC stressed the importance of wearing a helmet and a reflective jacket at night, as well as equipping the bicycle and escooter with a white headlight and a red night light or a red reflector.
The ITC has warned riders not to overtake, and leave sufficient distance with other bicycle and electric bike users.
Riders must follow safety instructions, signs, and traffic signals, and give priority to pedestrians.
They must park in designated spots rather than placing them on traffic signposts and light poles.