Image Credit : RTA
In a move aimed at enhancing road safety and reducing accidents involving motorcycles, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police General Headquarters have announced new restrictions on the movement of delivery bikes on high-speed lanes across the emirate. The new rules will come into effect on November 1, 2025.
Under the updated regulations, delivery riders will be prohibited from using the two leftmost lanes on roads with five or more lanes, and the leftmost lane on roads with three or four lanes. On smaller roads with two lanes or fewer, there will be no restrictions on which lanes riders can use.
Enhancing Safety and Service Quality
Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, said the decision followed extensive coordination between public and private sector stakeholders to ensure safer roads and improved delivery operations.
“The delivery sector plays a vital role in Dubai’s economy, supporting services, logistics, and customer convenience,” said Al Banna. “This decision supports the goals of Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33) to double the size of the emirate’s economy while continuously improving safety, sustainability, and service quality.”
He explained that the surge in delivery demand and the growing number of motorcycles on Dubai’s roads had prompted a comprehensive review. The new policy, he noted, was developed following detailed traffic studies and technical assessments in line with global best practices.
“We’ve engaged with government bodies, private companies, and consultants to develop a framework that protects riders and all road users,” Al Banna added.
Enforcement and Awareness
RTA will collaborate closely with Dubai Police, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and delivery service providers to monitor compliance. Prohibitory signs will soon appear on major roads, indicating the lanes that commercial motorcycles are restricted from using, alongside existing signs for heavy vehicles.
To ensure smooth implementation, RTA will also launch a comprehensive awareness campaign, using media and digital platforms in partnership with delivery companies.
Dubai Police: Zero Tolerance for Reckless Riding
Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, welcomed the decision as part of the emirate’s broader Traffic Safety Strategy, which aims to eliminate fatalities on Dubai’s roads.
“This regulation complements the five-year executive plan for road safety, built around four pillars monitoring and enforcement, road and vehicle engineering, traffic awareness, and systems administration,” said Al Mazrouei.
He confirmed that strict penalties would be applied to violators. Riders caught using restricted lanes will face fines of AED 500 for the first offence, AED 700 for the second, and permit suspension for a third violation. Riders exceeding 100 km/h on roads with equivalent speed limits will incur fines of AED 200, AED 300, and AED 400 for first, second, and third offences respectively.
Rising Accident Numbers
Al Mazrouei revealed that police statistics indicate a worrying increase in motorcycle-related accidents, primarily caused by unsafe riding on high-speed lanes.
“We recorded 854 accidents in 2024 and 962 in 2025 involving delivery motorcycles,” he said. “Last year alone, Dubai Police issued more than 70,000 violations to delivery riders, a number that has already risen to 78,386 in the first nine months of this year.”
He added that motorcycles are among the most vulnerable vehicles on the road, lacking protective structures and posing a high risk of serious injury in the event of a crash.
“Restricting delivery bikes from high-speed lanes is a proactive step that will save lives, improve rider behaviour, and enhance traffic discipline across Dubai,” Al Mazrouei stated.
Recognising Compliance and Excellence
To encourage positive practices, RTA and Dubai Police announced that delivery companies demonstrating strong compliance with the new lane restrictions will be recognised through the “Delivery Sector Excellence Award.”
The award will highlight firms that uphold safety standards, encourage disciplined riding, and contribute to Dubai’s vision of a safer, smarter, and more efficient transport ecosystem.
“This initiative aims to foster healthy competition among operators while advancing customer satisfaction and overall service quality,” Al Banna concluded.
The new regulations reflect Dubai’s ongoing commitment to building a world-class transport system, prioritising safety, and ensuring the delivery sector continues to grow responsibly in one of the world’s fastest-paced urban environments.
