Abu Dhabi Police urge delivery riders to follow safety rules

Force stresses need to wear protective equipment and exercise caution on the roads

Abu Dhabi Police delivered a safety message to delivery riders. The National

Police in Abu Dhabi have issued a renewed plea to delivery bike riders to abide by traffic rules in an effort to boost road safety.

The force shared an awareness video on social media on Saturday, highlighting the importance of riders travelling only in permitted lanes and wearing helmets and padded clothing to protect themselves in the event of an accident.

The animated video also stressed the need for riders to ensure front and rear lights and tyres are well maintained and fully operational.

Bikers were cautioned against “improper overtaking and sudden lane changing”.

The key message is the latest step by authorities to safeguard delivery riders, who are among the most vulnerable road users.

In June 2023, Abu Dhabi brought in new rules barring delivery bike riders from the using the left lane – also known as the 'fast' or 'overtaking ' lane – on some roads.

The emirate's Joint Committee for Traffic Safety announced on Monday that riders must stick to the right-hand lanes on any roads with a speed limit of 100kph or higher.

In May 2022, Abu Dhabi Police rolled out regulations requiring the box worn by riders – to carry their deliveries – to be 50cm in width, length and height.

The box must also be covered with reflective edging with no sharp angles allowed.

Writing on the box must also be clearly visible from at least 20 metres away.

The box has to be made of fibreglass and there must be an opening at the front for easy access.

Safety drive

This month, The National reported on the risks faced by riders on a daily basis, amid a spike in demand for online services such as takeaway and grocery deliveries.

This shift in consumer habits has prompted an increase in the number motorcycle delivery riders navigating the nation's roads.

Road Safety UAE analysed data from the Ministry of Interior to understand which vehicles were most commonly involved in accidents in 2023.

Light vehicles constituted 66 per cent of all accidents, accounting for 2,916 of 4,391 collisions, while motorcycles made up 18 per cent of the total, or 783 accidents.

Of the accidents recorded in 2023, there were 42 deaths involving motorcycle riders, and 1,020 recorded injuries, according to the Ministry of Interior.

“The vulnerable segment of motorcycle riders and micromobility riders of bicycles, electric bikes and scooters is over represented in these victims’ statistics,” said Thomas Edelmann, managing director of Road Safety UAE.