Sharing the road: cyclists, e-scooters and pedestrians

Getting Around (tr-03) covers walking, cycling and Dubai's e-scooter basics. This lesson looks from both sides: how to stay safe on two wheels as rules change, and how to drive so that the people outside cars get home safely too.

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Why this matters more every year

• WHO says more than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
• Khaleej Times (May 2026), reporting an analysis of Ministry of Interior figures by RoadSafetyUAE, says e-scooter accidents in the UAE rose 97% in 2025 and bicycle accidents rose 76%.
• WHO says a pedestrian hit at 65 km/h is about 4.5 times as likely to die as one hit at 50 km/h. In streets with people around, a little less speed saves lives.

E-scooters in Dubai: the current rules

• Gulf News (February 2026), reporting RTA and Dubai Police rules, says riders must be at least 16, helmets are mandatory and reflective vests are recommended, especially at night.
• Riders without a valid UAE driving licence need a free e-scooter permit from the RTA website.
• Dubai Police have warned riders to use designated lanes and keep off pedestrian walkways and jogging or sports tracks, with a Dh200 fine for riding there, as reported by Gulf News in February 2026.
• You can report dangerous riding through 'Police Eye' on the Dubai Police app or by calling 901 (Gulf News).
• Rules differ between emirates, so check your local authority's rules before riding outside Dubai.

Abroad: e-scooters and bikes are not the same everywhere

• In the UK, Transport for London says privately owned e-scooters are not legal to use on public roads; they may be used only on private land with the landowner's permission.
• TfL says riders in London's rental trial must be 18 or over and hold at least a provisional driving licence, and that riding any e-scooter on the pavement is generally an offence.
• So an e-scooter that is legal in Dubai may be illegal on a UK street. Check the rules in your university city before you buy or ride.
• Cycling rules also vary between countries and emirates, and the UAE traffic law was replaced in 2025, so check your local authority's current rules on helmets and lights. Wherever you are, a helmet and working lights make you easier to protect and to see.

As a driver: protecting people outside cars

• The UK Highway Code, updated in January 2022, introduced a 'hierarchy of road users' that places the people most at risk in a collision at the top (GOV.UK).
• It advises leaving at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 30 mph (about 50 km/h), and more space at higher speeds.
• It recommends the 'Dutch reach': open your car door with the hand furthest from it, so you turn and look over your shoulder for cyclists and scooter riders.
• It also says that when people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way.
• Check mirrors and blind spots before turning or changing lane, as bikes and scooters can appear quickly on your inside.

On two wheels: riding defensively

• WHO says correctly worn helmets reduce the risk of death in a crash by more than six times and the risk of brain injury by up to 74% (its figures are for motorcycle helmets). Wear one on every ride.
• Assume drivers have not seen you. Make eye contact, avoid riding in blind spots beside lorries and buses, and slow down at side roads and driveways.
• Be seen: lights at night, bright or reflective clothing, and no headphones in both ears.
• Ride only where it is allowed. Pavements and jogging tracks belong to people on foot.
• Carry no passengers on a scooter or a bike that is not built for one, and never ride after taking anything that affects your judgement.