Dubai’s E-Bike, E-Scooter Ban in Select Areas Sparks Debate on Safety vs. Personal Freedom
As Dubai continues its push for smart and sustainable transport, a growing number of residential communities are pushing back—banning e-scooters and e-bikes due to rising concerns over public safety, traffic violations, and property damage. But this move has sparked a broader debate: are these restrictions necessary, or do they infringe on personal freedom?
In the first five months of 2025 alone, the city recorded 13 fatalities linked to e-scooter misuse and jaywalking. By comparison, 2024 saw 254 accidents involving micromobility devices, with 10 deaths and 259 injuries.
Community Action: Victory Heights and JBR Take the Lead
In response to safety complaints and recurring incidents, residential areas such as Victory Heights and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) have implemented full bans on battery-powered mobility devices within their premises.
Victory Heights’ Owners Committee (OC) cited repeated complaints from residents and alarming reports from community security as the basis for its decision. “After persistent concerns, the OC conveyed its recommendation to SOAMS, our management company, to ban e-scooters and e-bikes in the interest of public safety,” the committee said in a statement.
Similarly, JBR enacted a ban in August 2024, prohibiting e-scooters and e-bikes on The Walk's ground and plaza levels to protect both residents and tourists.
Public Safety or Curbing Freedom?
While many residents support the bans, others—particularly younger riders—feel unfairly targeted.
Lukas Petre, a high school student and longtime Victory Heights resident, voiced his frustration:
“The ban feels unfair. Teenagers like me use e-bikes to de-stress and socialize. It’s a small group of irresponsible riders causing problems—why should we all suffer?”
Petre also pointed out the irony in restricting e-bikes while cars—linked to far more accidents—remain unrestricted.
However, the Victory Heights Owners Committee insists the ban was not aimed at punishing youth but rather safeguarding shared spaces following repeated reports of reckless behavior, including riding in pedestrian areas, damaging landscaping, and ignoring security instructions.
Experts and Residents Call for Stricter Regulation, Not Bans
Emma Brain, a media professional in Al Ghadeer Village, believes that banning is not the answer. Instead, she advocates for better enforcement of UAE laws, such as the ban on under-16 riders and the mandatory use of protective gear.
“Most kids we see on e-scooters have no safety equipment and no idea about traffic rules. Before anyone gets on a scooter or e-bike, they should be required to pass a basic safety test.”
Gaurav Nandkeolyar, a resident of Dubai Investment Park, described frequent near misses and dangerous behavior.
“They switch between sidewalks and roads without warning, wear no helmets, and often cross pedestrian paths recklessly.”
In Abu Dhabi, long-time resident Taha shared similar concerns, saying many riders show no regard for their surroundings, weaving unpredictably through traffic, creating hazards for themselves and others.
Call for Accountability and Unified Guidelines
Mental health experts and parents agree that personal freedom should be balanced with responsibility, and that community management should align with national safety guidelines, not just reactive bans.
Many are now calling for licensing requirements, mandatory training, and more stringent enforcement of traffic rules specific to micromobility users.
