Sharjah police seize almost 2,000 e-scooters, bicycles and motorbikes

Common infringements include driving in undesignated areas, users failing to wear protective gear and not following safety rules

Sharjah Police said their campaign removed 181 electric scooters, 392 motorcycles and 1,290 bicycles from the streets during the first quarter of 2021. Sharjah Police

Almost 2,000 electric scooters, bicycles and motorbikes were confiscated in Sharjah because riders flouted traffic rules.

They were seized for offences such as driving in undesignated areas, users failing to wear protective gear and not following safety rules, police said.

The seizures were made during the first three months of the year and legal action was taken against offenders.

Lt Col Mohammad Al Naqbi, director of the traffic and patrols department at Sharjah Police, said teams were dispatched across the emirate to monitor the use of e-scooters and motorbikes.

“The campaign resulted in confiscating 181 electric scooters, 392 motorcycles and 1,290 bicycles during the first quarter of this year,” he said.

"Legal action has been taken against offenders for different [breaches] including driving unlicensed bikes and flouting traffic rules," Lt Col Al Naqbi said.

E-scooters, meanwhile, are a more frequent presence on the UAE's roads in recent years.

Responding to the surge, road safety campaigners said drivers are risking life and limb by failing to wear protective helmets. Experts urged owners and renters to ensure they wear protection as use of the vehicles increases in popularity.