BRAKES ON E-BIKES

The use of electric bikes should be limited to certain areas and not allowed on main roads, as they pose dangers to both riders and others, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

There is a growing demand for such e-scooters and bikes, but most of them don’t comply with regulations. Hence, the ROP has confiscated unregistered electric bikes, which are often heavily modified.

“We have been warning e-bike users not to venture out on main roads, as they pose a great threat to themselves as well as to others. These bikes can be ridden in private places and in less populated areas,” a senior official said.

The Ministry of Education has prohibited them from school grounds, while Muscat Municipality has banned all bikes, including electric ones, from public parks, gardens, and beaches to protect visitors and prevent damage to the environment. 

People have raised concerns about the potential for accidents, especially among young riders who may lack driving experience.

“Added to it, there is a lack of dedicated paths for electric bikes in many areas, which increases the risk of collisions with pedestrians or vehicles.”

Their usage is limited to certain areas as bikes can cause inconvenience to other visitors. “Not only these, such electric bikes can cause traffic snarls, especially on main roads, as they tend to cut across the main roads and pose dangers at signals as well,” he adds.

Reckless usage or riding bikes without giving priority to safety can cause casualties ranging from moderate to severe, according to healthcare professionals.

Dr Mahmoud al Rahbi, a specialist in emergency medicine, opines that the dangers associated with riding such small bikes are manifold.

“Riding e-scooters without safety gear on main roads poses risks of various grades, as there are higher speed limits. Also, it’s all the more risky to drive without a helmet, as it can result in head injury in the case of an accident. Such scooters should be limited to private properties or at less populated areas,” Dr Al Rahbi adds.

According to the ROP statistics, accidents involving e-scooters are on the rise and have resulted in fatalities in numerous countries.

“Although there has been a rule since 2024, it was not fully operational. But taking into consideration the number of accidents involving e-scooters, we are strictly implementing the law,” the official said.