Administrative Decision No. (21) of 2022
Regarding the Regulation of Bicycle Use in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
The Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport,
- Having reviewed Law No. (1) of 1974 on the Reorganization of the Government Apparatus in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amendments,
- And Law No. (19) of 2006 regarding the Regulation of Taxi Transport in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amendments,
- And Law No. (30) of 2019 on the Establishment of the Department of Municipalities and Transport,
- And Federal Law No. (21) of 1995 concerning Traffic and its amendments,
- And based on what was presented to and approved by the Executive Council,
Has decided the following:
Article (1)
Definitions
In the application of the provisions of this Decision, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires:
| The Emirate |
: The Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
| The Department |
: The Department of Municipalities and Transport. |
| The Center |
: The Integrated Transport Centre. |
| Bicycles |
: Bicycles or electric bicycles with two or more wheels that are propelled by the rider's force or by electric power, and any recreational means that run on the road or on a bicycle lane, including but not limited to scooters and skateboards. |
| Vehicle |
: A mechanical machine, motorcycle, cart, or any other device that moves on the road by mechanical power or any other means, including a tractor. |
| The Activity |
: The activity of renting bicycles. |
| The Establishment |
: The company or sole proprietorship authorized by the Center to conduct the Activity. |
| Bicycle Lane |
: The lane designated by the Department exclusively for bicycle traffic. |
| The Road |
: Every path open to public traffic without the need for special permission, and every public place that can accommodate the passage of vehicles and is accessible to the public, whether with or without permission or license from a competent authority, and whether its use is for a fee or free of charge. |
| The Carriageway |
: The part of the road where vehicles are permitted to travel. |
| The User |
: The bicycle rider, whether a renter or an owner. |
Article (2)
The provisions of this Decision shall apply to establishments and users of bicycles within the Emirate.
Article (3)
Subject to the legislation in force, the Establishment must comply with the following:
- Obtain a prior permit to practice the Activity from the Center and adhere to the limits of the granted requirements before starting operations, and obtain the necessary approvals from the competent authorities.
- Ensure that the bicycles being operated meet the approved technical specifications.
- Maintain the bicycles according to the requirements issued by the Center.
- Provide a contact number for users to report any emergency during the rental period.
- Provide safety conditions and instructions for riding and using bicycles by any means specified by the Center.
- Do not park bicycles randomly on the establishment's corridors, the road, or at the entrances and exits of houses or buildings.
- Do not rent bicycles to individuals younger than the ages specified in the applicable legislation.
- Equip electric bicycles with a monitoring or tracking system (GPS) that complies with the approved technical specifications.
- Ensure that intelligent transportation systems comply with the standards and specifications approved by the Department.
- Take all necessary measures to maintain the confidentiality, privacy, and security of user information.
- Provide the data, information, reports, and documents requested by the Department or the Center.
- Provide insurance to cover traffic accidents involving bicycles.
Article (4)
The User must comply with all provisions regulating bicycle riding in the legislation in force, and with all controls and requirements issued by the competent authorities in this regard, in particular the following:
- Follow the instructions on traffic and guidance signs or any form of warning and cautionary notices, and ride bicycles in a safe manner that does not endanger the lives of others.
- Adhere to the special terms and conditions and the safety and security instructions and requirements for how to use and ride bicycles, whether for personal use or those provided by the Establishment in the case of renting a bicycle.
- Ride bicycles in the designated lanes where available or in areas authorized by the competent authorities.
- Wear a protective helmet while using the bicycle, and a reflective vest or clothing when riding in dark places.
- Park the bicycle in designated areas (if any), and do not leave it in a way that obstructs the movement of vehicles or pedestrians, and do not chain it to traffic sign poles or light poles.
- Give priority to pedestrians at intersections and on sidewalks and reduce speed at pedestrian crossings.
Article (5)
Bicycle owners and Establishments must register bicycles in accordance with the decisions issued by the Department. These decisions shall specify the bicycles that must be registered and the mechanism and procedures for registration when the type of bicycle requires registration.
Article (6)
The User is prohibited from the following:
- Riding on the carriageway before meeting the conditions and requirements stipulated in this Decision in accordance with the legislation in force.
- Exceeding the specified speed limit on the road, taking into account the conditions of the location, weather, and other safety requirements.
- Holding onto any moving vehicle or trailer while using a bicycle.
- Using bicycles on paths designated for jogging, running, pedestrian paths, and sidewalks.
- Carrying any passenger unless the bicycle is equipped with all the necessary equipment for that purpose.
- Carrying anything that leads to the imbalance of the bicycle.
- Using the horn or bicycle's sound system in a way that causes noise or disturbance to others.
- Wearing dual headsets that block surrounding sounds while riding a bicycle.
Article (7)
The Center, in coordination with the concerned authorities, shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this Decision, each within its jurisdiction.
Article (8)
It is prohibited to use bicycle lanes for purposes other than those for which they are designated.
Article (9)
- The schedule of violations and administrative fines attached to this Decision shall apply to Establishments, and the grievance and reconciliation procedures in effect at the Department shall apply to these violations and fines.
- The penalties stipulated in the legislation in force shall apply to violating Users.
- Relevant legislation shall apply in matters for which there is no explicit provision in the legislation in force.
Article (10)
Establishments must rectify their status in accordance with the provisions of this Decision within a period of 6 months from the date of its entry into force.
Article (11)
This Decision shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force from the date of its publication.
Table of Violations and Administrative Fines for the User
| # |
Violation |
Administrative Fine in AED |
| 1. |
Failure to meet bicycle registration requirements |
200 |
| 2. |
Non-compliance with instructions and guidelines on signs or any other form of advertisement for bicycles, or with instructions and obligations imposed on the user |
200 |
| 3. |
Bicycle not conforming to approved technical specifications |
200 |
| 4. |
Riding a bicycle on prohibited roads and in prohibited areas |
500 |
Table of Violations and Administrative Fines for Establishments
| # |
Violation |
Administrative Fine in AED |
| 5. |
Practicing the activity in the Emirate without a permit from the Center. |
5,000 |
| 6. |
Practicing the activity with an expired permit. |
2,500 |
| 7. |
Operating bicycles that do not conform to the approved technical specifications. |
500 |
| 8. |
Failure to maintain the bicycle according to the requirements issued by the Center and in accordance with the legislation in force. |
500 |
| 9. |
Failure to provide a contact number for bicycle users to report any emergency during the rental period. |
500 |
| 10. |
Failure to provide safety conditions and instructions for riding bicycles by any means specified by the Center. |
500 |
| 11. |
Non-compliance with the limits of the granted permit. |
2,500 |
| 12. |
Parking bicycles randomly on pedestrian walkways, the road, or at the entrances and exits of houses or buildings. |
1,000 |
| 13. |
Failure to provide the data, information, reports, and documents requested by the Department or the Center. |
1,000 |
| 14. |
Renting bicycles to individuals younger than the ages specified in the applicable legislation. |
1,000 |
| 15. |
Failure to equip electric bicycles with a monitoring or tracking system (GPS) that complies with the approved technical specifications. |
500 |
| 16. |
Failure to ensure that intelligent transportation systems comply with the standards and specifications approved by the Department. |
500 |
| 17. |
Failure to maintain the confidentiality, privacy, and security of user information. |
500 |
| 18. |
Failure to provide insurance to cover traffic accidents involving bicycles. |
500 |
| 19. |
Failure to register the bicycle if registration is required. |
500 |
Issued on: 02/09/2022
Falah Mohammed Al Ahbabi
Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport