Ajman Police Warn Residents About Risks of Electric Scooters

Ajman Police Ban Electric Scooters from All Public Roads in Latest UAE Safety Crackdown

Ajman Police have officially banned all types of electric scooters from public roads and streets, marking another significant regulatory move in the UAE's ongoing effort to balance urban mobility innovation with public safety. The announcement, made via the force's official X platform account, reflects growing concerns about unregulated micro-mobility devices in densely populated emirate areas.

The Safety-First Approach Takes Hold

The blanket prohibition covers all electric scooter variants, from personal e-scooters to shared mobility devices that have proliferated across UAE cities in recent years. This decisive action positions Ajman as taking a more conservative stance compared to other emirates that have opted for regulation rather than outright bans.

The move comes amid rising incidents involving electric scooters globally, with cities from Paris to San Francisco grappling with safety concerns, pedestrian accidents, and traffic disruption caused by these devices. Ajman's approach suggests authorities prioritize established traffic safety protocols over accommodating emerging transportation trends.

Regional Regulatory Divergence

Dubai's Controlled Integration Model

The ban contrasts sharply with Dubai's more permissive approach, where electric scooters operate under specific licensing frameworks and designated zones. Dubai has invested heavily in smart city infrastructure that incorporates various micro-mobility solutions, viewing them as essential components of its 2040 Urban Master Plan.

Abu Dhabi's Middle Ground

Abu Dhabi has taken a measured approach, allowing electric scooters in certain areas while maintaining strict operational guidelines. This regulatory patchwork across the UAE creates a complex landscape for mobility companies and users traveling between emirates.

Economic and Industry Implications

For the nascent Middle Eastern micro-mobility sector, Ajman's ban represents a significant market restriction. Companies like Careem's scooter division and other regional players must now navigate fragmented regulations across different UAE jurisdictions, potentially limiting scalability and investment returns.

The prohibition also signals that regulatory acceptance of new mobility technologies isn't guaranteed, even in innovation-friendly markets like the UAE. This could influence how mobility startups approach market entry and expansion strategies in the region.

Broader Urban Planning Context

Ajman's decision reflects deeper questions about urban infrastructure readiness for new mobility solutions. Unlike purpose-built smart cities, many existing urban areas lack the dedicated lanes, parking infrastructure, and traffic management systems needed to safely integrate electric scooters with traditional vehicles and pedestrians.

The ban also highlights the challenge facing smaller emirates in balancing limited traffic enforcement resources with the complexity of regulating diverse transportation modes. A complete prohibition may prove more practical than developing sophisticated regulatory frameworks for a relatively small market.

What This Means for Urban Mobility

Ajman's approach suggests that successful micro-mobility integration requires more than just technological innovation—it demands comprehensive urban planning, robust enforcement mechanisms, and careful consideration of local traffic patterns and safety priorities. The emirate's decision may influence other regional jurisdictions facing similar challenges with emerging transportation technologies.

For residents and visitors, the ban eliminates a convenient short-distance transportation option but potentially reduces traffic complexity and safety risks. The long-term impact will depend on whether alternative solutions emerge to fill the first-mile, last-mile transportation gap that electric scooters typically address.