The UAE's Strategic Push Towards Smart Mobility and Micromobility Integration

The United Arab Emirates is consistently solidifying its standing as a frontrunner in the realm of integrated and intelligent mobility systems. The nation leverages its robust infrastructure, which includes extensive highway networks, established metro lines, and tram services. This foundation is being augmented by cutting-edge solutions such as air taxis, aerial cable cars, and electric scooter rental services. The overarching goal of these innovations is to construct a cohesive framework for future transportation, ensuring pragmatic and seamless connectivity between major public transit hubs and vital commercial, service, and residential zones.

Facilitating the adoption of electric scooter services has been streamlined through user-friendly mobile applications. Each journey is initiated via a unique QR code scan, which guarantees rapid activation and effective operational oversight. As part of this forward-thinking national strategy, the UAE actively encourages international companies interested in investing in the mobility sector, offering the necessary groundwork for the safe deployment of these emerging transport modes. The business community is responding enthusiastically, keen to localize and scale these groundbreaking transport technologies.

A notable success story within the region is Careem, a company established in Dubai back in 2012. Careem stands out as a prime example of the technological surge in the Middle East. Its significance was cemented following its acquisition by Uber in 2019 for approximately 3.1 billion US dollars, an event that firmly positioned Dubai as an innovation epicenter. Furthermore, Arnab Mobility, an Emirati enterprise, is carving out a niche as a platform for shared light electric vehicle use, aiming to weave together an intelligent global transport network across the Middle East and North Africa.

In Abu Dhabi, the regulatory groundwork for electric scooters commenced with pilot programs launched in 2019. By 2023, the number of officially licensed operational zones had grown to eight. Looking ahead, the Emirate has ambitious plans to expand its network of dedicated cycling paths to exceed 3,000 kilometers by 2026, a move that strongly supports public health initiatives. The capital's transport sector is showing significant momentum; the relevant authority envisions a fully autonomous transport system operational by 2025 and is actively seeking 3 billion US dollars in investment for the transport sector.

Dubai initiated the actual operation of the first phase for electric scooters across 10 districts in 2022. This initial phase saw over one million registered trips completed within the year, notably without any major safety incidents. For the period spanning 2025 to 2029, the Ruler of Dubai greenlit a five-year plan for internal road infrastructure development in 2024, which will cover 12 districts. Moreover, Dubai is targeting a significant milestone: transitioning a quarter of all traffic to autonomous modes by 2030. According to Kristina Tantsyura of SKY Consulting Group, achieving this goal is projected to yield an annual economic benefit amounting to 5.9 billion dollars. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has also unveiled its innovative autonomous transport solution, the Floc Duo. For both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the maximum permitted speed for electric scooters is capped at 20 km/h.

Demonstrating a tangible commitment to infrastructure development, the RTA allocated 390 kilometers of dedicated lanes specifically for electric scooters during the third quarter of 2025. These new lanes incorporate key areas such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard and Dubai Internet City. These concerted efforts underscore a comprehensive approach to shaping the future of urban movement, skillfully blending the enhancement of physical infrastructure with technological integration and robust regulatory frameworks.