Delivery bike riders in Dubai face sweeping new lane restrictions from November 1 as authorities crack down on a sector that recorded 962 traffic accidents in 2025 alone.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police have announced strict regulations prohibiting delivery motorcycles from using high-speed lanes, with penalties escalating to permit suspension for repeat offenders.

The new rules explained

Roads with 5+ lanes: Delivery bikes banned from the two leftmost lanes

Roads with 3-4 lanes:  Delivery bikes are banned from the leftmost lane

Roads with 1-2 lanes: No restrictions, all lanes permitted

The restrictions take effect on November 1, 2025, with enforcement through fines, penalties, and eventual permit suspension for violators.

Why the crackdown

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, said data shows “a concerning rise in traffic accidents involving delivery motorcycles due to reckless and non-compliant riding behaviour on high-speed lanes.”

The numbers tell an alarming story of escalating danger:

Accidents:

• 2024: 854 traffic accidents involving delivery motorcycles
• 2025 (9 months): 962 accidents – already exceeding last year’s total

Violations:

• 2024: 70,166 traffic violations by delivery riders
• 2025 (9 months): 78,386 violations – 12% increase

The penalties

Violators face escalating fines and consequences:

Lane violations:

• 1st offence: Dh500 fine
• 2nd offence: Dh700 fine
• 3rd offence: Permit suspension

Speeding over 100 km/h:

• 1st offence: Dh200
• 2nd offence: Dh300
• 3rd offence: Dh400

The three-strike system means delivery riders who repeatedly violate lane restrictions will lose their ability to work entirely.

“Motorcycles are among the most vulnerable modes of transport to fatal accidents, given the absence of protective structures and the heightened risk of losing control at high speeds,” Major General Al Mazrouei explained.

Unlike cars with airbags, seatbelts, and protective frames, delivery riders are exposed to direct impact in crashes. High-speed lane accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the velocity involved.

The ban on fast-lane usage aims to reduce exposure to the most dangerous road conditions where speed differentials between vehicles are greatest.

How enforcement will work

Dubai Police and RTA will coordinate with the Department of Economy and Tourism and delivery companies to monitor compliance through:

• Prohibitory signage on directional signboards indicating restricted lanes for commercial motorcycles
• Traffic monitoring systems tracking lane usage
• Violation recording linked to rider permits
• Company accountability for rider behaviour

Signs will be installed alongside existing heavy vehicle restrictions, clearly marking which lanes are off-limits to delivery bikes.

The economic context

Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, emphasised that the regulations support rather than hinder the delivery sector’s growth.

“The delivery sector plays a key role in driving economic development and contributes effectively to enhancing service standards and achieving health, safety, and sustainability benchmarks,” Al Banna said.

Based on traffic studies

The lane restrictions weren’t arbitrary; they resulted from “specialised traffic studies and technical standards developed within RTA’s governance framework for this vital sector, ensuring alignment with global best practices,” according to Al Banna.

Over recent months, RTA held consultations with government entities, private sector partners, and consultancy firms to review procedures and establish safety criteria.

RTA will launch a “comprehensive public awareness campaign using diverse media and advertising channels, in collaboration with delivery companies operating in the emirate.”

The campaign aims to ensure all riders understand the new restrictions before enforcement begins on November 1.

Excellence awards for compliance

In a carrot-and-stick approach, Dubai Police and RTA announced that companies whose riders consistently comply with lane restrictions will be recognised in the “Delivery Sector Excellence Award” under the companies category.

The initiative aims to “foster healthy competition among delivery operators, enhance traffic safety for all road users, and strengthen adherence to traffic laws.”

What delivery riders must do

Before November 1:

• Understand which lanes are restricted on routes you regularly use
• Plan alternative routes if necessary
• Attend any company briefings on the new rules
• Review safe riding practices

From November 1:

• Stay out of the restricted leftmost lanes
• Maintain speeds appropriate for your lane
• Follow all traffic laws to avoid a permit suspension
• Report any unclear signage to the authorities

With accidents involving delivery bikes already up 13% year-over-year and violations climbing, Dubai authorities are taking decisive action to protect riders and other road users.

The lane restrictions represent a balance between supporting a vital economic sector and ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the cost of lives.

Global market intelligence firm Grand View Research (GVR) is ramping up its presence across the Middle East, signalling how Gulf economies are increasingly relying on data-driven foresight to shape diversification strategies, policy design, and investment decisions.

The California-based firm, which has published nearly 20,000 market intelligence studies worldwide, confirmed a significant surge in regional demand this year. According to company data, more than 300 reports now focus on GCC markets, spanning sectors such as energy, healthcare IT, advanced manufacturing, and financial services. The number of GVR’s Middle East client engagements has climbed to over 100 in 2025, supported by a team of 450 analysts and consultants worldwide.

“The scale of decision-making in this region has changed,” said Swayam Dash, Managing Director at Grand View Research. “Businesses are no longer satisfied with descriptive reports. They want predictive models that can guide capital allocation, diversification, and future readiness. The Middle East is operating at global speed now.”

GVR’s recent projects in the region have included renewable energy market sizing, pharmaceutical pipeline mapping, and sustainability benchmarking through its proprietary Astra ESG platform, developed to align with regulatory disclosure frameworks introduced by UAE and Saudi authorities.

The expansion coincides with a period of sustained non-oil growth across the Gulf. According to the UAE Central Bank’s March 2025 review, the country’s non-oil trade surpassed Dh2 trillion in the first nine months of 2024, equivalent to 135 per cent of GDP. The GCC’s economic growth is projected to accelerate to 3.2 per cent in 2025 and 4.5 per cent in 2026, driven largely by technology, logistics, and sustainable infrastructure, sectors where data analytics and market intelligence play a critical role.

“In markets like Dubai and Riyadh, business decisions are increasingly evidence-based,” Dash said. “Data is now a strategic asset, and those who use it effectively will set the pace for the next phase of Gulf growth.”

The company’s newly announced Dubai office marks a deeper commitment to serving regional clients, helping them identify cross-border opportunities in Asia and Europe. Dash described the Middle East as “one of the fastest-maturing intelligence markets globally, a place where ambition, speed, and data finally meet.”

Analysts say GVR’s regional push mirrors a broader shift among consulting and research firms to localise expertise and deliver sharper, faster insights for Gulf clients. “The next competitive advantage in the region,” Dash noted, “won’t be capital or infrastructure, it will be clarity.”

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, have extended warm Diwali greetings to the UAE’s Indian community and all those celebrating the Festival of Lights worldwide.

The messages underscore the UAE leadership’s recognition of the country’s diverse multicultural fabric and the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora.

Presidential greetings

In a message posted on his X account, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said: “Best wishes to all those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and around the world. May the coming year bring peace, health, and prosperity to you and your loved ones.”

The President’s greetings acknowledge both the local Indian community and global celebrations of the festival, which marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Dubai Ruler’s wishes

Sheikh Mohammed also extended his wishes through social media.

“Warmest wishes and greetings to those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and around the world. May this festival of lights bring peace, safety, and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Happy Diwali!” the Dubai Ruler wrote.

Significance for UAE’s Indian community

The Diwali greetings from the UAE’s top leadership hold special significance for the country’s substantial Indian expatriate population. The public acknowledgment of the festival by UAE leaders reflects the country’s policy of religious tolerance and cultural inclusivity.

The greetings also carry diplomatic weight, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and India, which encompasses trade, investment, energy cooperation, and people-to-people connections.

Festival celebrations across UAE

Diwali is widely celebrated across the UAE, with Indian communities organising cultural events, traditional rituals, and family gatherings. Major shopping centres and public spaces often feature Diwali-themed decorations and special promotions during the festival period.

The festival typically sees increased economic activity in sectors such as gold jewellery, traditional clothing, sweets, food and festive decorations, with retailers across the UAE catering to the celebratory shopping traditions associated with Diwali.