Dubai: E-scooter licence permits must by end of this month; exemptions announced

Dubai will launch e-scooter licence permits by the end of this month, it was announced on Sunday. Users will be able to apply for the free permit on the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) website.

The process involves attending training courses and passing an online test.

"Obtaining this permit shall be a prerequisite for riding scooters on safe roads in the announced areas. However, holders of local and international driving licences are exempted from obtaining such a permit," the RTA said in a Press release.

The RTA will launch an awareness campaign to educate scooter riders about the regulations and designated locations for use.

E-scooters now in 10 districts

Electric scooters will be allowed on select cycling tracks in 10 districts across Dubai starting from Wednesday, April 13. The RTA and Dubai Police said the move comes after the "huge success" of the trial operation of e-scooters that started in October 2020.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the RTA, said, "The initial phase covers the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Internet City, Al Rigga, 2nd of December Street, The Palm Jumeirah, and City Walk.

"It also covers safe roads and tracks within specific zones at Al Qusais, Al Mankhool, and Al Karama and 167-km long tracks designated for bicycles and scooters across Dubai, excluding those at Saih Assalam, Al Qudra and Meydan."

E-scooter rentals in the specified districts are restricted to four companies; two international (Tier and Lime) and two local (Arnab and Skurtt).

Al Tayer added, that the firms will deploy "at least" 2,000 e-scooters.

In the trial phase, the four operators got a customer satisfaction rating "as high as 82 per cent".

The results of the trial operation proved the suitability of e-scooters as individual mobility means for short journeys as well as first and last-mile journeys. "About 500,000 journeys were made until the end of 2021," said Al Tayer.

Dh200 fine for haphazard parking

E-scooters in Dubai must be parked in designated areas only. "The RTA has provided parking spaces for shared electric scooters along the designated tracks and permitted areas. They are mainly in key tourist attractions and around public transport stations. The aim is to encourage residents and visitors to use electric scooters on first and last-mile trips," the authority said in a press statement.

Parking a bike or electric scooter in non-designated spaces in a way that may obstruct the movement of vehicles or pedestrians, or pose a risk to road users, will result in a fine of Dh200.

Rules to ride an e-scooter

An Executive Council resolution issued recently states that e-scooters must be used only within the permitted areas and tracks designated by the RTA. They are not allowed on walking or running tracks. The RTA called on residents to select high-quality e-scooters to avoid battery burn accidents and frequent technical malfunctions.

— Riders must wear reflective vests and helmets; avoid carrying pillion riders or anything that causes an imbalance, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and pedestrians.

— The resolution also states the technical specifications applicable to e-scooters and bikes. These include a white headlight, red and reflective lights on the rear; a horn fixed on the steering arm (T-bar); brakes on the front and back tyres; tyre sizes proportional to the size of the scooter; and roadworthy tyres for the tracks specified by RTA.

sahim@khaleejtimes.com