• E-scooter trials were first introduced in five areas of Dubai in October 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National
    E-scooter trials were first introduced in five areas of Dubai in October 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • In early 2022, a Federal Traffic Council committee said it would look into e-scooter misuse and accidents. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    In early 2022, a Federal Traffic Council committee said it would look into e-scooter misuse and accidents. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Those without a full driving licence must apply for a free e-scooter permit and pass an online test. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Those without a full driving licence must apply for a free e-scooter permit and pass an online test. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • As many as 2,000 e-scooters will be available in specific Dubai neighbourhoods. Antonie Robertson / The National
    As many as 2,000 e-scooters will be available in specific Dubai neighbourhoods. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dedicated bicycle and e-scooter paths have been built across Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Dedicated bicycle and e-scooter paths have been built across Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Dubai to expand network for electric scooters to 10 areas from early next year


Anam Rizvi
  • English
  • Arabic

Residents in 10 areas of Dubai, including City Walk and Palm Jumeirah, will be able to ride e-scooters on designated tracks starting early next year.

In October 2020, authorities began a trial run in five districts as part of wider efforts to slash congestion levels.

The designated e-scooter areas were Downtown Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai Internet City, 2nd of December Street, Al Rigga and Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

By the end of September, e-scooter users made about half a million trips.

Now, residents in five more areas of Dubai will be able to use electric scooters on designated tracks.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, announced the start of civil works in preparation for the launch of phase one of the project.

“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,” Mr Al Tayer said.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority plans to expand the e-scooter network to include specific residential areas and 23 new districts.

“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," said Mr Al Tayer.

More designated e-scooter tracks will be ready for use in Dubai early next year. Photo: Dubai Media Office
More designated e-scooter tracks will be ready for use in Dubai early next year. Photo: Dubai Media Office

“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."

RTA has called on the public to avoid using electric scooters on tracks that are still under construction in order to avoid accidents. They said infrastructure works for e-scooters in new districts is going according to plan.

Residents have been reminded they can can only ride e-scooters under strict guidelines and on designated tracks.

Riders must comply with the rules and regulations set by RTA.

The e-scooter must be parked at designated places and must not be left in places that can trigger traffic bottlenecks.

More from Armen Sarkissian
Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

UAE cricketers abroad

Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.

Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.

Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.

The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,600hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.4seconds

0-200kph in 5.8 seconds

0-300kph in 12.1 seconds

Top speed: 440kph

Price: Dh13,200,000

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,500hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.3 seconds

0-200kph in 5.5 seconds

0-300kph in 11.8 seconds

Top speed: 350kph

Price: Dh13,600,000

Updated: December 11, 2021, 10:55 AM