2024 E-Scooters: Affordable Emission Control or Dangerous Trend?

Post by : Kanchan Chandel

Photo: Reuters

E-Scooters: Balancing Convenience with Road Safety Challenges

As the e-scooter network continues to expand globally, their role as a last-mile solution for public transport is growing, but so are the concerns surrounding their safety. The rise in reckless riding is becoming a significant issue for authorities.

Riders frequently exceed the permitted speed limit of 60kph, merge onto busy roads, and often neglect to wear necessary protective gear. This has led to a noticeable increase in traffic violations, as evidenced by recent police reports.

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Electric scooters, viewed as crucial to achieving a greener future with lower carbon emissions, are now common sights in cities worldwide. In the UAE, this trend is mirrored by the expansion of designated lanes and rental fleets in cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Riders in Dubai must obtain a permit and can choose from various rental services such as Tier, Careem Tech, Lime, Skurrt, and Arnab. However, the authorities are dealing with a surge in traffic violations related to e-scooters. Dubai Police reported nearly 8,000 violations in the first half of 2024, resulting in the confiscation of over 4,000 e-scooters and bicycles. The number of fines issued this year is set to exceed previous records, with past figures showing 11,054 fines in 2022 and 6,306 violations in 2023.

Despite these violations, the number of fatalities from e-scooter accidents has declined. In 2022, there were 11 deaths and 116 injuries, and in 2023, 12 deaths and 83 serious injuries. As of mid-2024, there have been four deaths and 25 injuries.

Maj Gen Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs, stressed the importance of understanding the laws governing e-scooter use. He highlighted Dubai Police's efforts to crack down on dangerous riding and emphasized the need for riders to use designated paths, adhere to traffic laws, and wear proper protective gear.

Since March 1, e-scooters have been banned inside Metro stations due to fire risks. Nonetheless, Dubai Police report confiscating about 24 e-scooters and electric bikes daily. Despite these safety concerns, e-scooters are considered essential for sustainable transport, with dedicated lanes designed to connect residential areas with public transport and reduce car usage.

New lanes have been introduced in areas like Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and Hatta, where a 4.5km network of shared lanes has been added, bringing the total to 13.5km. This expansion aims to support tourism and green mobility.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is investing in infrastructure to support first and last-mile transport needs, including more bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, and bike parking.

In Abu Dhabi, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) has implemented regulations on e-scooter dimensions to ensure road safety. E-scooters must not exceed 165cm in height, weigh more than 35kg, or be wider than 70cm.

The global e-scooter market is expected to grow significantly, from $15.22 billion in 2021 to $31.04 billion by 2028, with the number of e-scooters in regular use projected to reach 143.5 million.

In Dubai, two-thirds of Careem Bike’s trips are for work commutes. Sami Amin, senior director of operations for Careem Bike, noted the benefits of micro-mobility, including reduced road congestion and increased outdoor activity.

Globally, e-scooter-sharing has gained traction in countries like the US, Germany, France, and China. In Europe, most countries, including Ireland, have legalized e-scooters. However, in the UK, e-scooters can only be used legally on private land unless rented in one of 31 trial areas.

Graeme Sherriff from the University of Salford highlighted that trials of shared e-scooters, extended until 2026, aim to address safety concerns. His research found that while safety concerns exist, incidents during the trial period were relatively few. The trials aim to ensure that e-scooters meet safety standards and provide clearer regulations for private e-scooter use.

The previous government’s efforts to legalize e-scooters could lead to clearer guidelines for their use, benefiting both riders and the broader community.

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