Abu Dhabi to grant licences to companies for renting out electric scooters

Abu Dhabi has started granting licences to companies to rent out electric bicycles without seat (e-scooters) to support the use of environmentally friendly transportation in the emirate.

Local and international companies specialised in the field can obtain the necessary licence and non-objection certificates from the Integrated Transport Center (IMC), official news agency WAM reported.

Companies wishing to provide the service must comply with the requirements set by the IMC to regulate the activity, which aims primarily at maintaining safety and safety, the report added.

The service will be available in the pedestrian and bicycle paths in Corniche and Khalifa Street during the first phase.

The pilot phase will run for six months to a year, the report stated.

E-scooters can be operated through their operators’ applications. The maximum speed limit for the bikes has been set at 15-20 kilometers per hour.

“Electric bicycles are an effective, easy and environment-friendly means of transportation for short daily shifts of work and entertainment,” IMC said.

“The new service will help reduce traffic congestion and maintain a clean and sustainable living environment.”

The move is part of the emirate’s efforts to provide alternative mobility options for public transport users.

The IMC said that it will closely monitor the pilot phase and the rate of demand for the service to develop its policies and procedures.

Earlier this year, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that it had temporarily banned electric scooters from the emirate pending regulatory oversight.

The authority said it is “currently considering the technical and legislative requirements to allow the operation of electric scooters in addition to the conditions and commitment of scooter drivers”.

Read: Dubai bans electric scooters amidst safety concerns