UAE | Traffic and Transport

Umm Al Quwain bans Quad bikes

The Municipality has banned quad bikes from the streets and restricted them to the sand dunes on Exit 96 of the Emirates Road.

  • By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:36 December 25, 2008
  • Gulf News

Umm Al Quwain: The Municipality has banned quad bikes from the streets and restricted them to the sand dunes on Exit 96 of the Emirates Road.

Dr Musabah Rashid Humaid, director-general of the Municipality, said the ban includes all types of quad bikes and unlicensed motorcycles, effective immediately.

He said a spacious area has been set aside for quad bike riders off Emirates Road.

"Signs showing the boundaries of this area have already been set up," he said.

Police patrols have also been assigned to watch the boundaries of the dedicated area, and a municipal official will be assigned at the entrance of the area, he said.

"Even when they are moved from one place to the other they should be carried in vehicles," said Dr Humaid.

He said they were coordinating with other emirates and other concerned authorities, including the emirate's Traffic and Licensing department.

"The spread of quad bikes badly affected the streets and had destroyed all the emirate's green areas which families visit at this time of the year," he said,

He added that the auth-orities had made efforts to minimise the negative effects of those vehicles on the green areas, but in vain.

Dr Humaid said that movement of the quad bikes and other unlicensed motorcycles which used to run in the desert, the agricultural lands and the streets will from now on be limited to that particular area.

He stressed that the first violation would cost the offender a Dh2,000 fine, and the vehicle would be permanently seized should the violation be repeated.

He stressed that motorcycles were not banned and said that the decision did not have anything to do with these motorcycles.

He added that such motorcycles are licensed by the emirate's Traffic and Licensing department and that they would not interrupt their business in the emirate. He also said that the focus of the municipal decision was the quad bikes which the youngsters carelessly use on the streets.

Dr Humaid said the companies which specialise in renting the quad bikes have already been moved to the designated area.

"About four or five companies are located in Umm Al Quwain and that they were all moved to the new location and they were introduced to the new rules and regulations to which they pledged to adhere," he said.

He said that individuals bringing their own quad would have to prove ownership or risk being barred from accessing the area.

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