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Dubai announces new traffic unit to monitor e-scooter, cycling violations
The personnel from the Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit will also be stationed across key bicycle lanes and main streets that connect soft mobility zones
- PUBLISHED: Sun 13 Apr 2025, 11:28 AM
Authorities in Dubai will soon launch a special unit focused on monitoring violations by cyclists and e-scooter riders. The new Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit aims to improve traffic safety on cycling and e-scooter tracks while ensuring compliance with all relevant safety standards.
Launched through a collaboration between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police, the unit will oversee adherence to traffic rules, managing the flow of traffic on cycling lanes, and promoting public awareness of safe riding practices.
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Offenders will face penalties in line with current regulations. Personnel from the unit will also be stationed across key bicycle lanes and main streets that connect soft mobility zones to monitor activity and enforce rules.
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This came as the RTA and police reviewed the Traffic Safety Strategy 2022-26. The two entities noted a significant increase in the use of personal mobility devices. “Bicycle trips increased from 44 million in 2023 to 46.6 million in 2024, representing 5 per cent growth, while e-scooter trips rose from 30 million to 32.3 million, with an increase of 8 per cent,” they said in a joint statement.
Last year, Dubai recorded 254 e-scooter and bicycle accidents, resulting in 10 deaths and 259 injuries, including 17 serious ones. The concern has grown in 2025, with two e-scooter-related deaths occurring within just three days in February in the UAE.
As reported by Khaleej Times, road safety experts are urging tighter regulations and greater enforcement around e-scooter use. Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, called for the introduction of a mandatory road safety curriculum in schools.
“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. We see two riders on board. We hardly see any child complying with the rules.”
Dubai recorded nearly 40,000 e-scooter and cycle violations last year as authorities ramped up enforcement. Offenders face fines of up to Dh300 for violations like riding on public roads, reckless driving, and failing to wear safety gear.
Under current regulations, riders are required to use only designated lanes; avoid carrying passengers or items that affect balance; avoid riding against the direction of traffic; and wear helmets and other protective equipment.
Dubai recently deployed a five-foot-tall, 200kg robot to monitor e-scooter and bicycle use along Jumeirah 3 beach. The robot is designed to detect rule violations and assist in ensuring safer use of personal mobility devices.
As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.
