By Janice Ponce de LeonStaff Reporter gulfnews.com
Dubai: International City residents are calling for regulations on the use of electric bicycles to ensure the safety of all road users.
These small electric bikes are becoming increasingly popularin International City among delivery men and residents.
Electric bicycles — a motorised bicycle smaller than a normal motorcycle — are increasingly becoming a popular mode of transport for delivery services and even for residents who run errands around International City.
The Chinese-manufactured bikes on the road look like delivery boys’ bikes but they run faster. Their maximum speed, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, is 25km/h.
On a random check, however, this reporter drove at about 40km/h in a car to follow one such electric bike. But the rider quickly disappeared in less than a minute.
Steve, 31, a Filipino resident, said he is cautious when he sees these electric bike users on the road as they pose risks to others and even to themselves.
“Because they are small, it’s not easy to spot them right away, especially for heavy vehicles. Sometimes they also change direction without indicating,” he said.
“The internal roads here are very narrow so it’s hard to share the space with them. I am a cyclist; I know I need around 2 metres of space around me to ensure that I am cycling safely. We don’t have that much space here,” he added. More info
