Proposal to require bicycles and electric bikes to have accident insurance

Legal specialists and experts in the field of traffic safety and law called for strict controls on the use of electric bikes on the country’s roads, stressing that leaving them running randomly poses a danger to the lives of their owners and the safety of road users.

They said that the recent spread of electric bikes raises questions about the legal responsibility of their owners in the event of running a red light or not adhering to traffic laws, causing collisions with pedestrians, vehicles, or private and public property, and the mechanism for compensation for material and bodily damages, suggesting that they be registered under a special system and that mandatory insurance be imposed on the owners of these bikes against accidents.

While it was not possible to obtain responses from the relevant authorities regarding this proposal, Dr. Hazem Al-Madi, insurance expert and managing partner of “Sahtak” Health Insurance Technology Company, stressed the importance of reconsidering the treatment of electric bikes, in light of the increase in their risks, with the remarkable expansion in their use on the roads during the recent period, as they have become an easy-to-use, economical, fast and inexpensive means of transportation, compared to the prices of vehicles.

Al-Madi pointed out that in light of this data, the existence of accident insurance for these bikes has become a major requirement, especially since they may cause accidents with road users, whether pedestrians or vehicles, or collide with storefronts or damage public property, in addition to the importance of this insurance in covering medical expenses, in the event that the accident results in injury to people, whether the bike rider or pedestrians.

He suggested that the insurance should be comprehensive for bicycle owners in the event of damage to the bicycle or the owner sustaining any damage, or against third parties in the event of causing a pedestrian collision, to cover the costs of treating the injured party, as well as to cover the costs of material damage to others.

I consider insurance to be more effective and suitable for this category of bicycle users, to ensure their safety, as the insurance policy will be sufficient to cover any expenses or compensation in the event of an accident. The coverage may include the cost of bicycles, engine failure, partial or total disability, treatment, and others.

For his part, lawyer Ali Musabah said that the Emirati community has clearly noticed the tendency of most people to practice sports in order to maintain their health and break the daily routine, especially since this activity has increased in light of the “Corona” pandemic and everyone’s need to practice sports. Most athletes have turned to cycling, as it changes the lifestyle and enjoys practicing this hobby.

He pointed out that it is important to have controls to govern the drivers of these bicycles or electric bikes, and to adhere to the instructions set by the competent authorities, including riding the bike in the designated lane, not riding the bike on roads with a speed exceeding 60 km/h, not riding the bike in places designated for walking or running, riding the bike in a safe manner, and not committing acts that cause danger to its owner or others. Security and safety equipment must be worn, such as a helmet and a phosphorous jacket, for clear vision for drivers, in addition to installing red rear lights and white front lights.

Musabah suggested imposing fines in the event that bicycle and electric bike drivers do not comply with these instructions, starting from 200 and reaching 500 dirhams, and the bike may also be seized.

He pointed out that the police authorities do not tolerate these violations, especially on the practical level, and control them, indicating that accidents may occur as a result of speeding and reckless driving, and this may cause harm to others in the event of an accident between a cyclist and a pedestrian, and the accident will certainly be somewhat simple, but in the event of damage resulting from the accident, the person responsible must compensate for the damage and compensate for it, since these bikes are not registered or have numbers placed on them, and therefore the injured party has the right to file a civil lawsuit to prove the act and the damage, and the causal relationship, to prove his right to compensation for the damage.

Musabah advised all cyclists, whether they are athletes or for personal use, to adhere to security and safety procedures, to preserve their lives and the lives of others, and not to be reckless on the roads, while adhering to the special dress code, to be seen.

For his part, Jamal Al Ameri, the traffic expert and executive director of the “Saed Association” for reducing traffic accidents, stated that the use of electric and bicycle bikes requires an intensive awareness campaign for all segments of society of different nationalities, taking into account the individual economic factor, as these mechanisms are used to transport people, due to their inability or inability to buy a vehicle, or provide transportation fare for them, which prompted the purchase of this means by different segments, due to its lack of need for great physical effort, as well as its ease of access.

Al-Amiri believed that when awareness is raised by official and semi-official bodies, i.e. driving schools and bicycle driving schools, there will be satisfactory results. For example, the negatives that appeared at the beginning of the use of the “scooter” in the past, and communities were made aware of them.

He called for educating bike owners about safety procedures, safe driving conditions, and taking the designated lanes, not driving against the direction of the road, and not surprising drivers by exiting from road entrances.

Safe Use Standards

A workshop organised by the Traffic and Patrols Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police recommended preparing a comprehensive plan to equip dedicated bicycle paths to connect tourist areas in the main cities of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The workshop, which was held early this year with the participation of 22 speakers from nine government agencies, called for banning the use of bicycles of all types in places not equipped and prepared for their use, strengthening traffic control procedures, and supporting the use of bicycles of all types to enhance the efficiency of public transportation and the integration and diversity of means of transportation.

The recommendations called for the development and adoption of safe use standards (equipment, helmet), a safe distance between cars and bicycles, and requiring operators of bicycles, electric bicycles and scooters to have insurance to cover the costs of traffic accidents.

She called for the development of guidelines for the safe use of all types of bicycles.

• Increased use of bicycles as an easy, economical and fast means of transportation.