Dubai's Businesses Seek Clarity Amid Bicycle Seizures

Dubai's Naif area businesses are struggling with the ongoing seizure of bicycles and e-scooters by authorities, seeking clearer guidelines on their usage. Recent crackdowns, including the confiscation of nearly 3,800 e-scooters and bicycles in September, have created confusion and disrupted daily operations. Police have cited safety concerns and violations like riding in non-designated areas as reasons for the seizures, highlighting the dangers posed to both riders and pedestrians. Accidents involving these vehicles, resulting in fatalities and injuries, have further emphasized the need for regulation.

Naif, a busy commercial district, relies heavily on bicycles for essential daily tasks. The area's congested streets make cars impractical for short-distance errands, making bicycles crucial for deliveries, collections, and bank runs. The lack of clear communication from authorities regarding the current regulations has left business owners in a state of uncertainty. Traders report daily seizures of hundreds of bicycles and trolleys, with even padlocked bicycles inside buildings being confiscated.

Business owners like Saifuddin Khomosi express frustration at the lack of official announcements regarding any potential ban. They emphasize the essential role bicycles play in their operations and the difficulty of conducting business without them. The arrival of Emirates Auction teams, who carry out the confiscations, often creates panic among shop staff, forcing them to abandon their tasks to hide their bicycles and bringing business to a standstill. The constant seizures force businesses to repeatedly purchase new bicycles, adding to their operating costs.

While not opposing regulations, business owners are pleading for clarity. They need clear rules to understand how to comply with the law, if bicycles are allowed, or an official announcement if they are banned. The current situation leaves them guessing and disrupts their livelihoods. Previous guidelines issued by authorities outline rules for e-scooter and bicycle riders, including riding in designated lanes, avoiding pedestrian areas, not carrying excessive loads, riding with traffic flow, dismounting at crossings, and wearing safety gear. Fines of up to Dh300 are in place for violations like riding on public roads and reckless behavior.

Emirates Auction, while declining to disclose the daily seizure numbers, citing confidentiality, confirmed that confiscations are carried out under the instruction of relevant UAE authorities. The lack of transparency regarding the number of seizures and the specific legal basis for them further contributes to the confusion and anxiety among Naif's business community. They are looking for a balanced approach that ensures public safety while allowing them to continue using bicycles for their essential business activities.