In a significant move to enhance road safety and ensure responsible use of personal mobility devices, Dubai has introduced a dedicated Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit to oversee cycling and e-scooter activities.
The initiative aims to enforce compliance with existing regulations and reduce accidents involving these popular modes of transport.
According to road safety and driving expert Mustafa Aldah, the unit is a step in the right direction.
“This new special unit sends a strong message to the public. It’s about saving lives,”
said Aldah, who is also the founder of MA Traffic Consulting. He expressed hope that the initiative would bring the number of e-scooter-related deaths and injuries down to zero.
Aldah drew a parallel with efforts from the early 2000s when pedestrian fatalities accounted for nearly 50% of road deaths. Back then, dedicated task forces and stricter enforcement led to a notable drop in illegal pedestrian crossings and casualties.
“Once people saw authorities taking action, they started taking safety seriously,”
he noted.
The growing popularity of e-scooters and bicycles in urban areas has led to rising concerns over their safe use. Under current regulations, riders must stick to designated lanes, avoid carrying passengers or unbalanced loads, never ride against traffic, and always wear helmets and protective gear. Violators face fines of up to Dh300. In 2024 alone, nearly 40,000 violations involving e-scooters and bicycles were recorded across Dubai.
Residents have welcomed the new monitoring unit, viewing it as a necessary measure to promote accountability. Marco Dante, a 40-year-old software engineer living in Arjan, shared his concerns about nighttime safety.
“My favourite time is walking with my family at night. But lately, we’ve had to stay alert even on pedestrian-only paths — e-scooters often zip past without lights or even a bell,”
he said.
“This initiative will hopefully encourage people to follow road rules.”
Former e-scooter user Fahima Mustafa echoed similar sentiments.
“I used an e-scooter when I first started working. It was convenient, but since then, I’ve seen more accidents,”
she said. Fahima praised the new unit, saying it reflects the seriousness of the issue.
“It will remind everyone that e-scooters aren’t toys — they’re vehicles that come with responsibility.”
As Dubai continues to promote alternative modes of transport, the introduction of this monitoring unit signals a stronger push for safer, more regulated mobility for all road users.
News Source: Khaleej Times
