Dubai expands e-scooter accessibility to 11 new areas

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the addition of more e-scooter tracks to cover 11 new neighbourhoods from 2023.

This increases the e-scooter accessibility in the city to 21 areas, with the total length of tracks dedicated to bikes and e-scooters touching 390 km.

The new tracks will cover Al Tawar 1, Al Tawar 2, Umm Suqeim 3, Al Garhoud, Muhaisnah 3, Umm Hurair 1, Al Safa 2, Al Barsha South 2, Al Barsha 3, Al Quoz 4, and Nad Al Sheba 1, and serve more than 114,000 residents.

These tracks will also link to the city's main attractions, public transport stations, parks and shopping outlets.

It's part of efforts by the authorities to transform Dubai into a "bicycle-friendly city", encouraging residents to use "sustainable transport".

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, explained that the areas were selected following technical studies and data analysis of various Dubai districts. 

"Improvements currently underway in those districts include ground markings, directional signs, and converting internal roads into safe areas by dropping the speed limit from 40 km/hour to 30 km/hour for the safety of riders," he added.

The RTA called on the public to refrain from using e-scooters on tracks that are still under construction.

Riders must wear safety gear, as directed by the authorities, and get a free permit before taking to the roads.

The commencement of e-scooters operations in 11 new residential areas from the start of 2023. pic.twitter.com/1uvrITZeC5

— RTA (@rta_dubai) October 16, 2022