Is your child too young to ride an e-scooter? Dubai’s rules and what parents need to know

Dubai: Two years ago, Dubai-based Anila (name changed on request) almost lost her son. At the age of 16, he decided to start a race with his friends on e-scooters and zip through the neighbourhood, none of them wearing helmets. A car behind them, thankfully came to a screeching halt just behind them, but her son lost his balance and fell over on the pavement, resulting in several injuries, including stitches on his forehead as well as a broken ankle.

He might still fear riding an e-scooter around the neighbourhood, yet Anila still calls out every child that she sees, taking it particularly easy on e-scooters without a helmet. “We shouldn’t have to wait for a disaster to learn a lesson,” she says.  And if she sees an underage child with an e-scooter, she sternly reprimands them, too.

A growing concern

Niksha Sravan, an orthopedic surgeon, has observed an increasing number of injuries related to e-scooter use. From unsafe weather to loss of control, there are several reasons why people suffer such accidents or even fatalities.   “I keep telling the parents to ensure precautions and to not take e-scooter safety lightly. Sudden movements, sharp turns, or uneven surfaces can cause riders to lose their balance and fall,” she adds. Furthermore, they can cause a danger to others pedestrians, as they can collide into them.

The common types of accidents that occur when riding an e-scooter, explains Sravan.

• Falls and collisions: Loss of balance or crashing into obstacles like curbs, signs, or pedestrians.

• Pedestrian accidents: Colliding with pedestrians or other riders.

• Road accidents: Crashing into vehicles or getting hit by cars, especially in blind spots.

• Speeding and loss of control: Riding too fast or on uneven surfaces, causing falls or crashes.

• Mechanical failure: Issues like brake failure or flat tires leading to loss of control.

• Rough terrain: Tipping over on potholes, gravel, or wet surfaces.

• Distractions: Using phones or not paying attention while riding.

• Weather: Slippery conditions leading to accidents.

• Head injuries: Falling without a helmet can result in serious head injuries.

• Inexperience: Riders unfamiliar with the scooter or traffic rules may cause accidents.

Dubai’s e-scooter regulations

In recent years, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police have implemented stricter regulations for e-scooter riders, targeting such behaviour with fines and impoundments.  Public awareness remains crucial, particularly regarding age restrictions and speed limits. For instance, the RTA mandates a minimum age of 16 and a speed limit of 20 km/h, yet some younger riders have been seen on e-motorbikes reaching much higher speeds.

The role of parents and schools

Thomas Edelman, the founder of RoadSafetyUAE and a Dubai-based Austrian expatriate, spoke with Gulf News and highlighted that public awareness, particularly among parents, remains limited regarding the risks of allowing underage children to use e-scooters.  For instance, very young riders have been seen on e-motorbikes reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h, while the RTA’s minimum speed limit for e-scooters is set at 20 km/h.

Edelman emphasised the critical role both parents and schools play in ensuring e-scooter safety. While awareness campaigns exist in Dubai, he stressed the importance of parents actively enforcing rules, with relevant information available on the RTA website. Schools also have a significant responsibility, especially since many students use e-scooters for commuting.

Edelman has urged school security staff to address rule violations and called on principals and teachers to take responsibility for reinforcing safety measures. He further advocated for integrating road safety education into school curriculums to address the frequent violations, such as ignoring speed limits and age restrictions, which often lead to accidents. "Teachers must consistently engage with students about road safety, particularly regarding e-scooters and micro-mobility," he added.

Residential communities step up

Some residential communities in Dubai have introduced dedicated e-scooter lanes, rules, and even 'no-go zones’ or restricted areas.

For instance, as Karthikeya Kumar, a businessman and a father of two sons, based in Dubai notes, these e-scooter lanes exist in various residential and commercial areas to ensure safer travel for riders and pedestrians, including Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Downtown Dubai. “It’s something that I’ve always insisted on, with both my sons. And after an accident in our community, there has been a lot of crackdown on e-scooters with guidelines for those who ride them regularly,” he says.

People are tough in Kumar’s community, as he says, noting that whenever they spot a person without a helmet on an e-scooter, they instantly reprimand them.  “And it’s best for the children, even if they don’t like it. It keeps them safe,” he adds.

Creating safer streets starts with you

Edelman acknowledged that while the RTA and Dubai Police have established clear rules, it is still difficult to monitor every street. Ensuring safer roads ultimately depends on public cooperation and a sense of civic responsibility.

“Parents and schools remain the most influential stakeholders in protecting children and promoting safer road habits,” Edelman said.

When asked whether parents should buy e-scooters for their children, Edelman emphasised that the key is ensuring that children follow the rules. He explained that if children are over 16, wear protective gear, adhere to traffic rules, avoid speeding, and use designated lanes, they can ride safely. Achieving this requires the combined efforts of law enforcement, transport authorities, schools, residential communities, and, most importantly, parents.

E-scooter rules you must know

If you are new to Dubai's e-scooter regulations, it is essential to understand the rules to ensure safe and legal riding. The RTA has outlined specific guidelines that all e-scooter riders must follow:

• Minimum age: Riders must be at least 16 years old.

• Protective gear: Wearing a helmet and appropriate clothing and footwear is mandatory.

• Designated parking: E-scooters must be parked in designated areas to avoid obstructing pedestrians and vehicles.

• Safe riding practices: Riders must:

• Maintain a safe distance from others.

• Avoid carrying items that may cause imbalance.

• Never carry passengers.

• Follow all traffic signs and instructions.

• Avoid using dual headsets while riding.

• Accidents: Riders must inform the relevant authorities in the event of an accident, whether it results in damage or not.

• Traffic compliance: Riders must dismount when crossing pedestrian crossings and adhere to general traffic regulations.

• Equipment standards: E-scooters must have functioning front and rear lights, a working horn fixed to the T-bar, roadworthy tyres, and effective brakes on both front and rear wheels.

• Speed limit: The maximum allowable speed for e-scooters is 20 km/h.

Dubai's e-scooter initiative was introduced to provide residents and visitors with an eco-friendly, convenient mode of transportation. By promoting e-scooter usage, the RTA aims to enhance mobility and reduce traffic congestion in key areas. These rules are part of the Executive Council Resolution No. (13) of 2022 Regulating the Use of Cycles in the Emirate of Dubai, which outlines safety measures and penalties for both cyclists and e-scooter riders.

E-scooter lane locations in Dubai

To promote safe riding, the RTA has introduced designated e-scooter lanes in various residential and commercial areas. These include:

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard

• Jumeirah Lakes Towers

• Dubai Internet City

• Al Rigga

• 2nd of December Street

• City Walk

•  The Palm Jumeirah

•  Al Qusais (on safe streets 30 km/h)

• Al Mankhool

• Al Karama

• Al Tawar 1 & 2

• Umm Suqeim 3

• Al Garhoud

• Muhaisnah 3

• Umm Hurair 1

• Al Safa 2

• Al Barsha South 2

• Al Barsha 3

• Al Quoz 4

• Al Qusais 3

Obtaining an e-scooter permit

To legally ride an e-scooter in these designated areas, users must obtain a permit from the RTA. The permit process includes attending lessons, understanding traffic signs for e-scooters and passing a test. Fortunately, this process is entirely free of charge and available online via the RTA website (rta.ae). Click here to find out more.

In addition to dedicated e-scooter lanes, Dubai offers several recreational tracks for e-scooter riders and cyclists. Popular locations include Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim Beach, The Dubai Canal and Dubai Marina.