Brief
Dubai ramps up e‑scooter enforcement as cities worldwide tighten rules
Dubai's RTA and police created a dedicated unit to monitor e‑scooter violations after a sharp rise in crashes, while other cities impose bans or licence revocations.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Dubai has intensified enforcement of e‑scooter rules after a near‑doubling of serious crashes in 2025, according to Gulf News. On May 1, 2026, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police launched a Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit to track speeding, reckless riding and safety‑requirement breaches.
What happened
The new unit began operations on May 1, 2026, targeting violations such as exceeding speed limits, riding without helmets and obstructing pedestrian pathways. Data from the UAE Ministry of Interior, analysed by RoadSafetyUAE, showed a 97 % increase in serious e‑scooter crashes in 2025, compared with a 45 % rise across the broader micro‑mobility sector and a 23 % increase across all vehicle categories.
What the reports add
Gulf News notes that while Dubai has not banned e‑scooters, other cities have taken harsher steps. Paris ended shared rental e‑scooter services in September 2023 after a public vote, though privately owned scooters remain legal. Madrid revoked licences for rental operators in 2024 after operators failed to meet location and parking requirements. The article lists these cities alongside Dubai’s enforcement approach.
What was said
The Gulf News piece quotes the RTA and Dubai Police as the agencies behind the monitoring unit but does not provide direct statements. It references RoadSafetyUAE’s analysis of Ministry of Interior data to illustrate the rise in accidents.
How it came about
Dubai’s heightened focus on e‑scooter safety follows a broader push to improve public‑space safety, as highlighted in earlier Felo News coverage of the city’s livability rankings and new attractions. The surge in crashes prompted authorities to move from voluntary guidelines to active monitoring, mirroring global trends where cities such as Paris and Madrid have imposed bans or licence revocations to address similar concerns.
Key facts
- Dubai's RTA and police launched a Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit on May 1, 2026. (gulfnews.com)
- Serious e‑scooter crashes in the UAE rose 97% in 2025, per RoadSafetyUAE analysis of MOI data. (gulfnews.com)
- Paris banned shared rental e‑scooters in September 2023, while Madrid revoked rental licences in 2024. (gulfnews.com)
Timeline
- 2023-09-01 — Paris ends shared rental e‑scooter services
- 2024-01-01 — Madrid revokes e‑scooter rental operator licences
- 2025-12-31 — UAE sees 97% increase in serious e‑scooter crashes
- 2026-05-01 — Dubai launches Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Six Cities That Have Banned or Restricted E-Scooters and How Dubai Compares”
