Off-road motorcycles to be banned in parts of Dubai

DUBAI // Off-road motorcycles will be banned from neighbourhoods in a crackdown on antisocial behaviour and noise.

The decision from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, forbids dirtbikes in residential areas, roads or any other areas marked as restricted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

A Dubai Police officer said the rule, which takes effect in six months, will help to reduce fatal accidents in the emirate.

Seventeen motorcycle riders died in accidents last year, compared with 10 in 2015. All of them were between 16 and 25 years old.

“The new rules will definitely reduce the number of motorcycle accidents and deaths. It will also organise the use of motorcycling among youth,” said Brig Saif Al Mazroui, director of Dubai traffic police.

Brig Al Mazroui said the law would also limit the number of riders using off-road bikes and quad bikes at celebrations.

Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, applauded the move: “Many motorcyclists and off-road motorcycle riders don’t follow traffic etiquette and don’t care about others on the road.

“We all experience roaring motorcycles producing incredible amounts of noise at the most odd times of the day and a lot during night hours.

“I am sure we all can tell stories of extremely noisy vehicles and motorcycles waking us and our families up in the middle of the night.”

Mr Edelmann said licences were essential to ensure riders’ safety, and the safety of those around them.

“In many countries, novice riders are allowed to drive only motorcycles with small engines for the first couple of years,” he said. “They can upgrade to bigger and stronger engines after gaining enough experience.”

In February, the roads authority suggested motorcycle licences be split into three categories, with consideration given to the age of the rider and the size of the machine's engine.

To obtain a licence, riders must be at least 16, be physically fit and have the knowledge and skills to operate motorcycles.

Yousef Othman, the son of a motorcycle shop owner in Dubai, said he often took off-road quad bikes on safari trips to the desert with his friends.

Mr Othman, 19, said he also often rode recreational bikes in Jumeirah. He said he did not have a licence “and I learnt how to ride it on my own”.

Nataly Omar, 22, a mass communications student at Sharjah University, said: “I see off-road motorcycles on the roads all the time during winter. They always turn or cut in front of me, and they never use indicators.

“People who ride off-road ­motorbikes always play loud music and never follow traffic instructions.”

The new rules also set out conditions for licensing recreational motorcycles for family and business use, for setting up or operating racetracks, and for organising events or activities involving the bikes.

Rental agencies and racetracks will have to keep detailed records and copies of licences, and provide customers with safety guidelines.