Source : WAM
The United Arab Emirates has developed a pioneering, modern, and integrated transport ecosystem, underpinned by world-class infrastructure and an extensive network of roads, bridges, metro lines, and tram systems.
This ecosystem has been further strengthened with the introduction of individual smart mobility solutions, including electric scooters and bicycles, which complement the UAE’s modern transport framework and enable community members to reach their destinations quickly and cost-effectively.
These mobility options offer efficient, user-friendly, and environmentally friendly alternatives for short daily commutes for work or leisure. They connect public transport hubs with commercial, retail, service, residential, and leisure centres. Electric bikes and scooters are operated through smart applications provided by the service providers, with each vehicle equipped with a unique QR code.
In line with this vision, the UAE has encouraged startups to invest in this modern transport ecosystem by providing the necessary infrastructure and establishing regulations that ensure safe usage.
As a result, multiple companies have competed to provide their services, benefiting from the UAE’s supportive business environment, which welcomes both local and international startups and fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment growth.
The “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, under the slogan “Our Winter Is Entrepreneurial,” highlights innovative tourism projects and the strong support provided to startups, enhancing their performance, success, local presence, and regional and global expansion.
Smart mobility solutions, including scooters and bicycles, have seen widespread adoption across society, prompting local and global startups to expand services and coverage throughout the country. Prominent examples include Careem, Uber, Tier, Lime, FENIX, Skurrt, and Arnab.
These mobility options are accessible and easy to use through smartphone applications. Users can locate the nearest scooter, scan the QR code to start their ride, and travel safely while following traffic regulations and safety guidelines.
Many of these companies have achieved both local and international success after launching in the UAE or using the UAE as a gateway for regional expansion.
A notable example is Careem, founded in Dubai in 2012 as a delivery and ride-hailing service via its website and mobile applications. Within a few years, Careem achieved significant milestones, culminating in Uber’s acquisition of the company in 2019 for US$3.1 billion. Careem remains one of the Middle East’s most prominent startup success stories and a testament to Dubai’s status as a global innovation and entrepreneurship hub, supported by an ideal investment environment.
Another success story is UAE-based startup Arnab, the first micro-mobility company in the UAE to integrate multimodal transport systems, targeting the UAE and the wider MENA region. Its operations support smart city visions by providing environmentally friendly, affordable, and safe transport solutions.
Arnab Mobility operates as an on-demand shared platform for light electric vehicles, including e-scooters and e-bikes. The platform integrates innovative global mobility solutions in the MENA region, connecting people and places sustainably and allowing seamless smartphone-based payments.
Meanwhile, FENIX launched its shared electric bike rental service in the UAE in late 2021. Its portfolio now includes shared e-scooters and the region’s first private e-scooter subscription service, My FENIX.
Tier, a global pioneer, introduced swappable battery technology, allowing on-site battery replacement instead of transporting scooters to warehouses, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable mobility solutions.
Abu Dhabi began issuing licenses for app-based scooter rentals in 2019, alongside campaigns promoting safe bicycle and scooter usage. By 2023, eight designated areas for riding and renting scooters were established, including Al Reem Island, Masdar City, Yas Island, the Corniche, Khalifa City, and areas within Abu Dhabi Island along Hamdan Street, Falah Street, Sheikhbout Street, and Al Raha Beach.
Abu Dhabi also promotes cycling and plans to expand its network to exceed 3,000 kilometers by 2026.
In Dubai, the electric scooter initiative started as a pilot in 2020, with the first phase officially launched in 2022 across ten areas along designated cycling tracks. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also introduced an online platform for free permits, allowing the public to use e-scooters in designated areas and streets.
RTA data shows that shared e-scooter trips doubled in 2022 to over one million, up from around 500,000 trips in 2021, with no serious injuries or fatalities recorded. High-quality e-scooter tracks built to international safety standards connect major attractions with high-demand locations.
In 2025, Dubai’s RTA introduced a globally pioneering smart assessment system to monitor cycling and e-scooter track conditions and infrastructure using advanced technologies. This initiative is part of RTA’s efforts to leverage innovation to improve road network maintenance, enhance traffic safety, and elevate the user experience for flexible mobility solutions.
Bicycles have become a key individual mobility option in Dubai, attracting residents and visitors alike. Expanding cycling networks further strengthens the emirate’s tourism and economic appeal by connecting major tourist and commercial attractions with public transport hubs used by residents and visitors.
