Dubai Police are urging parents to keep a close eye on their children and make sure they follow safety rules when riding e-bikes, especially in public areas. Several teenagers were caught racing modified electric bikes at speeds exceeding 100 km/h on jogging and walking tracks in Nad Al Sheba and other neighbourhoods, putting pedestrians, athletes, and themselves in serious danger.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs, stated that patrols recently apprehended multiple offenders riding illegally altered e-bikes on tracks intended for walking, running, and light cycling. “These behaviours are extremely dangerous and pose a direct threat to track users and the young riders themselves,” he stressed.

Police say some teens are taking recreational e-bikes and modifying them to reach motorcycle-level speeds, a trend that has triggered community complaints and several emergency field campaigns. Officers have since seized 101 electric bikes and issued 130 fines in just one week for reckless riding and misuse in restricted areas. Parents of the offenders were also summoned and warned about leaving children unsupervised.

Authorities warn that parental negligence is one of the biggest factors behind the spike in such risky behaviour. Families are being urged to strictly monitor their children’s e-bike use, ensure they ride only in designated zones, and enforce safety measures like helmets and reflective gear.

Dubai Police confirmed that intensified traffic awareness drives will continue across residential areas, walking tracks, and popular fitness routes. “Our priority is to keep the community safe and prevent dangerous behaviour before it leads to tragedies,” Al Mazrouei said.

Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) has officially kicked off commercial operations for fully driverless, Level 4 autonomous vehicles, a first-of-its-kind milestone for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The rollout follows extensive collaboration between the ITC, the UAE’s Regulations Lab at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, and the Supervisory Committee for Advanced Driving Systems Testing, led by the Ministry of Interior. Guided by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), the launch marks a major step in safely deploying advanced self-driving technologies under the UAE’s approved regulatory framework.

ITC confirmed that the first two operating permits have been issued to WeRide and AutoGo-K2 for Level 4 autonomous vehicles.

The approval comes after months of rigorous real-world testing, covering performance, sensor accuracy, safety responses and behaviour in Abu Dhabi’s traffic conditions. All vehicle movements will now be monitored in real time through an advanced digital platform.

New control centre for autonomous mobility

During the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, the ITC also launched AViTOMS, the Autonomous Vehicles Integrated Testing, Operations, and Management System. It’s the first platform of its kind in the region, built to manage every stage of autonomous vehicle operations in one place.

AViTOMS handles everything from registration and permitting to real-time tracking, data analysis, and instant emergency shutdowns. It offers a full digital workflow, interactive maps, operational dashboards and secure data exchange across government entities.

The goal? A safer, smarter and fully regulated path for driverless mobility across the emirate.

The UAE just took another giant leap into the future of logistics. On Thursday, Abu Dhabi-based Lodd Autonomous successfully launched the country’s first homegrown hybrid cargo drone, marking a major milestone for advanced air mobility and same-day delivery innovation.

The event, dubbed the Hili First Flight Ceremony, took place at Emirates Falcon Aviation in Al Ain and was attended by Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with senior officials, royals, and members of the media.

“This is not just Lodd’s milestone, it’s a UAE milestone,” said Rashid Al Mannai, CEO of Lodd Autonomous.

The aircraft, named Hili, is a hybrid VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone capable of carrying up to 250 kilograms across nearly 700 km. It combines electric and internal combustion power, offering impressive efficiency and sustainability for aerial logistics.

Al Mannai revealed that Lodd will now embark on a six-month flight test campaign, followed by certification with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), a process expected to take two years. Once approved, Hili could revolutionise logistics by enabling same-day deliveries across vast distances.

To further boost its capabilities, Lodd has signed cooperation agreements with ST Engineering Commercial Aerospace and Skyports Drone Services, exploring integration and operational applications for the aircraft.

Looking ahead, AI will be central to Lodd’s vision. “AI automation will allow one pilot to operate hundreds of drones simultaneously,” Al Mannai explained.

“The system will manage everything, from flight scheduling to autonomous ground loading, turning futuristic logistics into everyday reality.”