For Dubai resident Bimbo Calitis, e-scooters have been a daily companion for over four years. Navigating between his home and work in Jumeirah, Calitis always wears a safety helmet, adheres to designated paths, and respects speed limits. His record is clean—no accidents, no mishaps.

For Calitis and his family, who also rely on e-scooters, these battery-operated devices offer a practical, convenient, and safe way to move around the city. They are fully compliant with all road safety regulations. However, the actions of a minority of reckless riders have cast a shadow over the entire e-scooter community, leading to calls for a blanket ban on these devices in certain areas.

“We’re being unfairly judged because of a few irresponsible riders,” says Calitis, who is also the founder and CEO of Amphibious Swim and Surf School in Jumeirah. “E-scooters remain the most economical and efficient way to travel short distances within the city.”

Calitis believes banning e-scooters is counterproductive, considering their role as effective first- and last-mile mobility solutions. “I’ve saved over Dh500 monthly by using my e-scooter instead of taking taxis around Jumeirah. Plus, they’re more environmentally friendly,” he adds.

Rising Concerns and Calls for a Ban

Recent concerns over the reckless use of e-scooters have grown, particularly in communities like Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). The Dubai Community Management recently decided to prohibit all e-scooters in the JBR area to enhance safety and maintain its pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. This decision follows incidents where reckless e-scooter riders posed dangers not only to themselves but also to pedestrians.

In the past month alone, Dubai Police seized 640 bicycles and e-scooters due to various violations, including speeding, riding in undesignated areas, and not wearing safety gear. From January to June 2024, four people lost their lives in accidents involving e-scooters and bicycles, with 25 others sustaining injuries. Authorities recorded over 7,800 traffic violations and confiscated more than 4,474 e-scooters and bicycles during this period, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

The Problem Lies with Reckless Riders, Not E-Scooters

“The real issue is with reckless riders, not the e-scooters themselves,” Calitis stresses. “E-scooters offer an eco-friendly mode of transportation, but some people lack the discipline to use them responsibly. The solution is not to ban e-scooters but to address the behavior of these individuals.”

Dr. Mostafa Al Dah, founder of MA-Traffic Consulting and an Emirati traffic safety expert, echoes this sentiment. He believes that banning e-scooters would unfairly impact responsible riders. Instead, he advocates for stricter regulations involving not only the police but also community developers and residents.

Proposed Solutions for Safer E-Scooter Use

Dr. Al Dah suggests several measures to enhance e-scooter safety without resorting to a ban. “We could introduce an ‘e-licence’ system, where riders are registered, and points are deducted for safety violations reported by others or caught on camera. Additionally, real-time tracking technology could be implemented to monitor riders’ behavior,” he proposes.

Al Dah also highlights the importance of e-scooters as viable first-and last-mile mobility solutions, particularly in large campuses or residential communities. Lowering speed limits in specific areas and encouraging the use of bicycles as an alternative are other suggestions he offers.