More than 1,200 delivery riders in Dubai fined for violating safety rules

RTA carried out checks in busy areas like Hessa, Jumeirah, Mirdif and Motor City

Dubai's RTA seized 44 bikes for being unfit for the roads. Photo: RTA

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has issued more than 1,200 fines to delivery riders for violating safety guidelines this year.

They were caught riding without protective gear, such as helmets, gloves and reflective vests, and without proper licences. Other offences included reckless riding, and for using bikes that didn't meet "technical standards".

More than 11,000 inspections were carried out from the beginning of 2024 in areas marked as high-activity for delivery riders, namely Hessa, Zabeel, Jumeirah, Downtown, Mirdif and Motor City, a spokesperson from the RTA told The National.

Forty-four bikes were seized for being unfit for use or with expired registration, while another 33 e-bikes were confiscated for lacking proper licences.

Saeed Al Ramsi, director of the RTA's licensing activities monitoring department, said the regular checks help improve road safety.

The RTA also held workshops for more than 3,600 riders to understand the challenges they faced, and to educate them about the need to maintain safety standards.

The rise of online shopping and food deliveries has transformed global traffic demographics, with UAE food deliveries alone expected to be worth $1.12 billion in 2024.

According to the RTA there are 92,000 commercial bikes registered in Dubai, with 124,000 registered in the UAE. Multiple delivery firms operate in the UAE, with some employing more than a thousand riders.

Safety drive

Police have previously stressed the need for riders to abide by traffic rules, given the fact they face increased risks when compared with vehicles of much greater size, which afford greater protection to users.

In 2022, a safety campaign was launched by Dubai Police and the Roads and Transport Authority, which required delivery riders to complete longer and more varied training to obtain a licence.

The force said common offences by riders were overtaking from the hard shoulder, sudden swerving, incorrect parking, parking on the pavement and failure to stay in mandatory lanes.

Delivery riders in Dubai were banned from the left lane – commonly referred to as the fast or overtaking lane – in 2021.

Delivery riders in Dubai must be employed by a company and be aged between 21 and 55.

The Roads and Transport Authority also stipulates that a rider must have a valid motorcycle licence and have met all requirements and training of the Driving Institutes in Dubai.

According to the RTA safety rules issued in 2021, riders will face a Dh300 fine for their first violation, with the amount increasing for repeated violations.

They are also restricted from using the left lane or sharing lanes with other riders. Reckless riders face a fine of Dh200 and an extra Dh100 for repeat offences. The delivery company will also be fined Dh2,000.

Riders caught not wearing proper safety gear will be fined Dh100 for the first time, Dh150 for the second and Dh200 for the third. Using backpacks for delivering orders is prohibited, with a fine of Dh500 for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders will face a Dh700 fine and have their permit suspended if caught three times in a row.

In May 2023, a scheme offering free health checks to delivery riders in Dubai was set up in an effort to cut the number of accidents caused on the roads as a result of poor health and fatigue.

Delivery riders also have access to 6,000 rest stations across the UAE during the annual three-month midday break, which began on June 15. It aims to support riders working during the intense summer heat.