UAE introduces e-scooter safety awareness campaign for riders

▶ In the UAE, electric vehicles are very much a part of a long-term sustainable plan

The UAE has launched a nationwide initiative to ensure the safety of e-scooter users and encourage them to follow traffic rules.

The Traffic Safety for E-scooter Users campaign has been introduced by the Federal Traffic Council, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, amid the growing popularity of the electric vehicles. People are being urged to use e-scooters on designated paths and zones and to wear helmets, knee pads and reflective clothing, especially at night.

Maj Gen Mohammed Al Zafeen, chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, said the initiative would include safety messages being posted on social media in Arabic, English and Urdu. Lectures and workshops will also be organised.

“In our campaigns, we are keen to enhance awareness for all road users, including this category of electric bike users,” Maj Gen Al Zafeen said.

The drive comes after Dubai’s government issued new regulations to promote the safe use of the two-wheelers.

E-scooters were permitted in 10 districts and cycling tracks across Dubai from last month under plans to expand the network of electric vehicles in the emirate. Two thousand e-scooters operated by four companies have been made available for rent in areas that the authorities identified as being most likely to benefit from greater access.

People who do not have a full driving licence must apply for a free e-scooter permit and pass an online test on the Roads and Transport Authority’s website.

Riders must be at least 16 and helmets are mandatory.

Anyone caught riding an e-scooter without a driving licence or permit could face a Dh200 ($54) fine.

Other fines are in place for offences such as failing to ride e-scooters on specific routes (Dh200); riding on roads with a speed limit above 60 kilometres an hour (Dh300); and riding or parking e-scooters on paths designated for walking or jogging (Dh200).

Much has been said about the increased visibility of e-scooters in recent years. During the time of peak Covid-19, in cities around the globe, they became especially popular as many people preferred riding solo, compared to taking the bus or train, where the risk of catching the virus was plainly higher, or even taxis, which are rarely the economical choice. Some have chosen the e-scooter as their preferred mode of transport as it can avoid congestion in many cities.

Consequentially, in a largely post-Covid-19 world, it is no longer uncommon for people to experience the unnerving and often dangerous situation of a rider zipping past to overtake a pedestrian at speeds that often exceed traffic rules.

As in many countries, the popularity of e-scooters is evident in the UAE. With a progressive increase in their numbers, the need for safety becomes ever more important. Taking these factors into account, the country has rightly set in motion a safety campaign nationwide. The authorities have instructed riders of e-scooters to stick to paths and zones that are especially designated for this use.

Safety being the priority, there is the emphasis and reminder for riders to wear their helmets, knee pads and reflective clothing, especially when riding scooters at night, so that drivers of cars and pedestrians are alert and accidents can be averted. The possible dangers of these stealthy, often silent, vehicles are well-known.

There have been laws in place in the UAE since 2010 on the use of helmets while riding bicycles, and any other twowheeled devices, but compliance can sometimes be lax. Last year, hospitals told The National they had seen a steady rise in accidents involving e-scooters.

To be clear, the popularity of e-scooters is a good thing and greatly beneficial for cities and residents. These scooters are cost-effective, energy-efficient and go a long way to facilitate mobility and ease of movement while potentially reducing traffic snarls. They are also especially handy when it comes to short distances.

Considering the inherent virtue of e-scooters, being environmentally friendly, cities may see more of a proliferation still. By all indicators, this is already happening. The global market value of e-scooters stands at $22.28 billion this year, according to the US-based market research and consulting company Grand View Research. And looking ahead, by 2028, the global electric scooters market is expected to reach $34.7bn.

The demand for fuel-efficient vehicles is only going to rise with time. And this is likely to have a bearing on the e-scooters market. In the UAE, electric vehicles are a part of a longer-term plan. An extended network of electric vehicles forms part of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.

With regard to safety, it is just a matter of further fine-tuning the existing regulatory framework. A month ago, Dubai laid out rules that state riders of these vehicles must hold a licence or a permit. Rule-breakers face fines, a necessary move to promote compliance on the roads and ensure safety for all, which is as good a place to build on as any.