JAKARTA - Dubai will extend its e-scooter and bicycle lines from 2023 to nearly 400 kilometers, but the speed limit will be reduced to 30 kilometers per hour on several roads to improve driver safety.
Dubai Authority, United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to open eleven new routes to be opened for e-scooters and bicycles starting next year.
The new zone will be established in the residential area of Al Tawar 1, Al Tawar 2, Umm Suqeim 3, Al Garhoud, Muhaisnah 3, Umm Hurair 1, Al Safa 2, Al Barsha South 2, Al Barsha 3, Al Quoz 4 and Nad Al Sheba 1, opening new routes for more than 114,500 residents.
The route will connect 10 mass transport stations, and 18 main destinations, such as public parks and commercial outlets.
"This will improve first and final travel and reduce dependence on private vehicles," said Mattar Al Layer, director-general of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and chairman of the executive board of directors.
"Work is underway in the area to complete rail construction in accordance with the top international traffic safety standards," he continued.
"The improvements that are currently being carried out in these districts include road markings, direction signs, and changing the internal road to a safe area by lowering the speed limit from 40 km per hour to 30 km per hour for motorist safety," he explained.
Later, the total number of districts where e-scooters are allowed to operate will increase to 21, while the total length of the track dedicated to bicycles, e-scooters, as well as safe and joint routes, increases from 185km to 390km.
For now, the available lines are on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Internet City, Al Rigga, 2nd of December Street, The Palm Jumeirah and City Walk.
Drivers who do not have a driver's license must apply for a free permit, to be able to use the route legally. The process involves attending training courses and passing online tests.
This proves a popular move, with more than 38,100 permits issued for e-scooters in the three months since its introduction at the end of April.
RTA said 15,807 permits were issued for motorists between the ages of 30 and 40, or 41 percent of the total number of applicants. The 20-30 year age group received 14,576 permits (38 percent), with 1,570 permits (4 percent) granted to those under 20 years of age.
It is known that the expanded electric vehicle network is part of the 2050 UAE Energy Strategy, which aims to increase net energy contributions and reduce the carbon footprint of power plants by 70 percent.
"This supports efforts aimed at turning Dubai into a bicycle-friendly city and migrating to unpolluted sustainable transportation," Al Tayer said.
"This also encourages visitors to use alternative mobility facilities and support first-mile and last-mile strategies," he said.
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