Image credit: RTA/Website
Dubai is embarking on a major overhaul of its transport regulations and service standards, reflecting its long-term vision for safer, smarter, and more sustainable mobility. In a joint move, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Police General Headquarters have announced new regulations targeting the movement of delivery motorcycles on high-speed lanes, set to take effect on November 1, 2025.
Simultaneously, the RTA has reported significant improvements across the city’s taxi network, driven by the rollout of 28 development initiatives in 2025. These twin developments signify a coordinated effort to enhance public safety, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency, key pillars of Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to double the emirate’s economy over the next decade.
Under the new rules, delivery motorcycles will no longer be permitted to use the two leftmost lanes on roads with five or more lanes, and the leftmost lane on roads with three or four lanes. On roads with two lanes or fewer, there will be no restrictions on which lanes delivery bikes can use.
Read more-Dubai’s RTA, DET issue new regulation to strengthen tourist transport sector
The regulations are part of a broader initiative to reduce road accidents involving delivery motorcycles, improve traffic flow, and bring Dubai’s road usage in line with international best practices.
“This decision is a result of ongoing coordination with public and private partners to enhance safety and service standards,” said Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA.
According to Al Banna, the move supports key goals of the D33 economic plan while directly contributing to health, safety, and sustainability benchmarks. The regulation was shaped by specialised traffic studies and developed under RTA’s existing governance framework for commercial transport.
The rising toll of delivery bike incidents
The urgency of the regulation is underpinned by alarming statistics on traffic violations and accidents. Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations at Dubai Police, cited data showing 854 accidents involving delivery motorcycles in 2024, followed by 962 in 2025, a troubling upward trend.
In terms of traffic violations:
- 70,166 violations were recorded in 2024.
- 78,386 violations were recorded in the first nine months of 2025 alone.
These violations stem from reckless and non-compliant riding on high-speed roads, often resulting in serious consequences for both riders and other road users.
“Motorcycles are among the most vulnerable modes of transport,” noted Major General Al Mazrouei. “Their lack of protective structure and high-speed instability make them particularly prone to fatal accidents.”
He added that the delivery sector, while economically vital, must adhere to higher safety standards to prevent further loss of life and injury on Dubai’s roads.
The regulation includes a tiered fine system to enforce compliance:
- Dhs500 for the first violation
- Dhs700 for the second
- Permit suspension for a third violation
Riders who exceed 100 km/hr on roads where the speed limit is 100 km/hr or more will also face escalating fines:
- Dhs200 for the first offence
- Dhs300 for the second
- Dhs400 for the third
Authorities are also planning a comprehensive monitoring system, with road signage clearly marking prohibited lanes for commercial motorcycles. These signs will be integrated with existing traffic signs that already restrict access for heavy vehicles and trucks.
Public awareness campaign and strategic coordination
RTA plans to roll out a public awareness campaign through various media and advertising channels in collaboration with the delivery companies operating in the emirate. The goal is to educate riders, reinforce the rationale behind the new rules, and promote a culture of road safety.
Al Banna confirmed that the RTA has worked closely with the Dubai Police, Department of Economy and Tourism, and private stakeholders throughout the development of these regulations. A series of meetings and consultations helped define the criteria and procedures to ensure the safety of delivery riders and other road users.
“The delivery sector has grown significantly in both demand and number of operating bikes. These reforms are necessary to keep pace with that growth responsibly,” he added.
To encourage widespread compliance, RTA and Dubai Police will honour companies whose riders follow the new lane-use rules. These firms will be recognized under the “Delivery Sector Excellence Award”, an initiative designed to incentivize best practices.
The award will serve multiple purposes:
- Encourage healthy competition among delivery operators
- Enhance road safety for all users
- Recognise distinguished performance in traffic compliance
- Support excellence in service delivery
This mix of penalties and rewards demonstrates the authorities’ two-pronged strategy—punish unsafe practices while celebrating model behaviour.
Parallel push to upgrade taxi services with 28 key initiatives
While delivery motorcycles are facing stricter oversight, Dubai’s traditional taxi services have been undergoing a quiet transformation of their own. The RTA recently reported the implementation of 28 development initiatives in 2025 aimed at improving comfort, efficiency, and service quality across the emirate’s taxi fleet.
These reforms target all aspects of the taxi ecosystem: passengers, drivers, and franchise companies.
“The completion rate of these initiatives reached 89.8 per cent by the end of Q3 2025,” said Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
Key improvements: From air quality to uniforms
The initiatives introduced by RTA include both technological upgrades and service enhancements. Among the most notable:
- Real-time air quality sensors inside taxis for passenger health and comfort
- Driver uniform upgrades with weather-adaptive fabrics and an increase in allocations to six sets per driver
- Leather seat upholstery replacing traditional fabrics, improving hygiene and comfort
- Onboard air fresheners to ensure a consistent pleasant atmosphere
- Integrated evaluation systems connecting customer feedback to RTA’s internal performance systems
- Incentive programmes worth over Dhs8m annually to reward drivers and companies for exemplary service
These measures form part of the RTA’s broader goal of supporting Dubai’s Smart City vision, while also aligning with leadership aspirations for improved quality of life and sustainable mobility.
Together, these announcements from the RTA and Dubai Police represent a comprehensive approach to transport reform in the emirate. Whether by enforcing strict delivery lane usage or elevating taxi service quality, authorities are making clear that safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction are top priorities.
Both sets of reforms are strategically aligned with the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and Economic Agenda D33, long-term blueprints designed to keep Dubai competitive, livable, and economically vibrant in a rapidly changing world.
