What is an E-Scooter?
E-scooters have steadily been gaining popularity in the UAE. You may have seen a group of teenagers or even a well-suited professional zipping around on their e-scooters in Dubai. It is a type of personal portable, lightweight electric vehicle (PLEV) and provides fast, convenient, and short-range mobility. The maximum speed of an e-scooter is around 20km/h.
An e-scooter emits zero emission which makes it one of the most sustainable forms of transportation. It has two-wheel and users ride them while standing. However, the latest model of an e-scooter have a seat and an extra wheel. They can be recharged at home or office.
E-Scooters in Dubai
E-scooter is the most popular and least expensive micro-mobility option in Dubai. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently made e-scooter available in few areas of Dubai. Over 1500 e-scooters have been deployed in five busy districts of Dubai: Namely, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, 2nd December Street, Dubai Internet City, Al Rigga, and Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT).
These specific areas have been chosen due to the availability of public transport, population density, high traffic safety records, and infrastructure. Certain apps for drivers in Dubai will help them navigate, locate parking spots, and utilise different automobile services in the vicinity.
As a part of its efforts to integrate various smart mobility solutions to improve transportation, RTA collaborated with a few international and local companies to provide scooter-for-hire services. Lime (iOS | Android), Careem (iOS | Android) and Tier (iOS | Android) are global and Skurrt (Android) and Arnab (iOS | Android) are local scooter for hire supplier. According to RTA, scooter supplied by these companies will be used only on the dedicated e-scooter tracks.
Cost of Renting an E-Scooters in Dubai
Charges to unlock an escooter may vary depending on the app. However, unlocking an e-scooter might cost you anywhere around AED 3. Then you have to pay AED 0.5 to AED 0.6 for every minute thereafter. The bikes can be easily rented through applications, and when done, you can pay via your link credit or debit cards.
How To Rent E-scooters in Dubai
If you are based in Dubai and want to rent a scooter, there are options aplenty. There are a number of top companies to rent a cycle in Dubai.
Given below is a step by step guide on how to rent e scooters in Dubai.
- Download any of above mentioned app and register yourself.
- Locate the closest e-scooter.
- Once found, scan the given QR Code stuck on the two-wheelers and start your ride.
- Park the scooter at your destination.
- Tap on the screen to stop the meter on the app.
- Once stopped, the riders are prompted to make the payment.
Cost of Buying an E-scooter
You can buy a new or used e-scooter in the UAE via dubizzle. The cost of a new e-scooter ranges between AED 1,700 and AED 2,900. You can also visit motorcycle showrooms in the UAE for buying a new electric scooter.
Safety Guidelines to Ride an e-scooter
To ensure the safety of e-scooter, users and pedestrians alike, RTA has issued a list of safety guidelines.
- People aged 16 and above can ride the e-scooter.
- Protective gears such as helmets and gloves are mandatory.
- The parking of e-scooters shouldn’t hinder traffic or pedestrians.
- Only one person is allowed to ride the bike at a time.
- No headphones or earplugs are allowed while riding the e-scooter.
- In case of accidents, the rider must inform the relevant authorities.
Long Term E-scooter Uses
E-scooters are also great for daily commuters. However, there are a few technical specifications you must know before opting for long-term use.
- The bikes must have a tail and headlights.
- They must have horns or warning sounds.
- The maximum speed limit for e-scooters in Dubai ranges between 15 to 20 km/h.
- You have to meet all the standard requirement and technical specification of e-scooter, before taking them out on tracks
- All wheels must have functioning brakes.
- Your e-scooter must be GPS-tagged and remain within the designated e-scooter.
- Cost of fines may vary every single time since the vehicle does not have any legal ownership documents.
Other rules for E-scooter riders
Since e-scooters in Dubai are considered unregistered vehicles, there aren’t any set of definitive rules. However, to obtain some clarity on the use of e-scooters, a few points concerning cycle rules in the UAE are discussed below:
- Police can confiscate improper parked or dangerously used e-scooters.
- The rider must stay on their designated areas/lanes while riding in the city.
- Since e-scooters are motorized vehicles, in case of any traffic violation, you will pay amount similar as motorcycle fines.
- All the local traffic rules and regulation also apply on e-scooter riders.
- You cannot bring large and heave e-scooter on public transport. Only fold-able ones are allowed.
- Be mindful of pedestrian walkways.
FAQs:
How far (range) can e-scooters go?
Depends on the company’s model and the battery of the e-scooter. For instance, lime (e-scooter) covers 60 km.
Where can you park e-scooters?
The government deployed vehicle is supposed to be parked at the e-scooter station.
Is E-scooter legal in Dubai?
In order to use e-scooters in Dubai, you have to meet the technical specifications mentioned by RTA.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on driving laws, car registration, car insurances, parking guides, and all sorts of topics from the automotive industry.
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