Dubai: Residents can ride e-scooters across 10 districts from Jan 2022

RTA plans to expand the tracks to include specific residential areas and 23 new districts in phase II

by Dhanusha Gokulan

Published: Sat 11 Dec 2021, 12:09 PM

Last updated: Sat 11 Dec 2021, 6:36 PM

Starting the first quarter of 2022, citizens and residents can ride e-scooters in ten districts across Dubai, said a top official said by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The step responds to the Executive Council’s endorsement of the shared mobility plan and the e-scooter policy, said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the RTA board of executive directors.

On Saturday, Al Tayer announced the start of civil site works for the infrastructure of the operation of the Electric Scooter in preparation for the launch of Phase I of the project, which would cover ten Dubai districts and start operation in the first quarter of 2022.

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Citizens and residents can ride e-scooters in ten districts across Dubai from 2022. Photo: Supplied

Until now, during the trial phase, which began in October 2020, e-scooters could be used only in five Dubai districts. Until the end of September this year, e-scooters have made about half a million trips in the Emirate, RTA said.

“RTA plans to expand the use and tracks of e-scooters to include specific residential areas, and 23 new districts later on,” he explained.

“The initial phase covers Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Internet City, Al Rigga, 2nd of December Street (specified track and zone), The Palm Jumeirah, and City Walk. It also covered safe roads in Al Qusais, Al Mankhool, and Al Karama communities as well as cycling tracks except for the cycling tracks of Seih Al Salam, Al Qudra, and Meydan,” said Al Tayer.

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“The selection of these districts was guided by specific criteria, such as high population density, special development areas, areas served by metro stations and mass transportation, the availability of integrated infrastructure, and areas with a high level of traffic safety,” he stated.

What made the experiment successful?

By popularising e-scooters, RTA hopes citizens and residents will adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. The riders make an integrated and efficient transportation network in the Emirate. RTA also seeks to provide multiple transportation options for users, in accordance with top international practices that place Dubai among the leading countries in this field.

“The trial operation of the e-scooter proved successful as a suitable means for individual commuting over short distances and first and last-mile trips. The customers’ satisfaction rating of the experiment reached 82 per cent,” said Al Tayer.

Citizens and residents can ride e-scooters in ten districts across Dubai from 2022. Photo: Supplied

The RTA, in coordination with Dubai Police, examined several international models and experiences of major cities in operating e-scooters, such that it can choose the most appropriate model for Dubai.

“RTA also conducted many benchmarking studies of e-scooter operations with various international cities such as London, Paris, New York, Berlin, and Singapore. We have identified the key elements of streamlining the operation of shared and personalised e-scooters. Such studies were based on four main aspects: the user, the electric scooter, the road and the business model with the operating companies,” he explained.

Over the past months, RTA conducted technical studies and user surveys to screen the views of service users and their observations for the project improvement. Periodic meetings were held with Dubai Police and operating companies. Field visits were carried out to verify the work in the new area to ensure their readiness before opening them for e-scooter users.

RTA also launched several initiatives to encourage road users to use e-scooters, as they are environmentally friendly and suitable for short trips and first and last-mile trips that facilitate access to and from mass transit stations.

Residents urged to avoid unfinished tracks

RTA called on the public to avoid using electric scooters on tracks still under construction to prevent mishaps.

“Infrastructure works for e-scooters in new districts is proceeding according to plan. Works are nearing completion in the placement of traffic and directional signs for e-scooters,” he added.

Safety stipulations of e-scooters

The e-scooter is permitted to operate under strict guidelines and designated tracks.
The rider and the renter must comply with the rules and regulations set by RTA, which are aligned with the traffic rules law
They govern the use of e-scooters and the associated traffic safety stipulations such as the wearing of the protective helmet
The e-scooter must be parked at designated places and must not be left in places that trigger traffic bottlenecks
Riders must ride cautiously and avoid causing traffic risks to other road users.
Riders must comply with all instructions and regulations relating to the areas where e-scooter riding is permitted, as mentioned in the apps designed for operators