Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced launching e-scooters operations in 11 new residential areas in the emirate from the start of 2023.
The new areas where the use of e-scooters will be permitted are: Al Tawar 1, Al Tawar 2, Umm Suqeim 3, Al Garhoud, Muhaisnah 3, Umm Hurair 1, Al Safa 2, Al Barsha South 2, Al Barsha 3, Al Quoz 4, and Nad Al Sheba 1.
This will take the total number of districts in which e-scooters are permitted to operate to 21.
The new launch plans will also increase the total length of tracks dedicated to bikes, e-scooters and shared routes from 185 km to 390 km.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA Board, said expanding operations of bikes and e-scooters to new districts was done in line with the Resolution of the Executive Council No. 13 for 2022.
“It supports the efforts aimed to transform Dubai into a bicycle-friendly city and the migration to less-polluting sustainable transport. It also encourages visitors to use alternative mobility means and supports the first and last-mile strategy,” said Al Tayer.
The new areas allowed for e-scooter operations cover 10 mass transport stations and 18 prominent destinations such as public parks and commercial outlets.
It will also enhance the first and last-mile journeys and reduce the reliance on private vehicles.
Al Tayer said the selection of areas and tracks was based on technical studies and data analysis of various Dubai districts to assess them in terms of safety, traffic volumes, the readiness of the infrastructure, population density, and the proximity to metro and public transport stations.
“Work is up-and-running in those areas to finalise the construction of tracks in line with the top international standards of traffic safety. Improvements currently underway in those districts include ground markings, directional signs, and converting internal roads into safe areas by dropping the speed limit from 40 km/hour to 30 km/hour for the safety of riders,” added Al Tayer.
The RTA advised the public to refrain from using e-scooters on tracks that are still under construction to avoid traffic incidents.
The initial phase of constructing biking and e-scooter tracks covered 10 Dubai districts, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Dubai Internet City.
RTA launched a link on its website – enabling interested individuals to apply for free permits for riding e-scooters on safe roads designated by RTA.
The process involves attending training courses and passing an online test.
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