The United Arab Emirates is at a crossroads in its journey towards sustainable transportation. We see promising initiatives like Sharjah's recent introduction of ten new electric buses to serve major intercity routes. This move aligns with the UAE's ambitious goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and demonstrates a commitment to greener public transport options.

However, this progress is held up against a recent crackdown on personal electric mobility devices in Dubai, where authorities have confiscated nearly 3,800 e-scooters and bicycles. This action, while aimed at addressing legitimate safety concerns with reports of reckless driving and accidents, it raises questions about the UAE's overall approach to sustainable urban mobility.

Urban transportation plays a crucial role in empowering lower-income populations by giving them reliable access to essential services, job opportunities, and education. It is a necessary resource that ensures the potential for social mobility within any country. An efficient public transportation system reduces reliance on personal vehicles which can at times be seen as essential to living within the UAE. But the harsh reality is that most individuals can not afford to buy and maintain their own cars.

I have always considered the UAE my home. With my family in Sharjah, schooling in Dubai, and now university life in Abu Dhabi, this country has shaped me in countless ways. Growing up here, I never questioned the necessity of owning a car. But, after spending semesters abroad in New York and Shanghai where I experienced firsthand the efficiency of their public transport systems, I began to notice a glaring absence of such networks in the UAE. There were times when, without access to a car or the willingness to spend over 100 AED on a taxi, I felt stranded.

Dubai, as the only Emirate with a metro system, highlights the uneven development of public transportation across the country. While the metro serves as a lifeline for many Dubai residents, its reach remains limited. In other cities like Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, residents rely heavily on private vehicles or expensive taxi services. The lack of a comprehensive public transport network poses a significant challenge, particularly for lower-income individuals and those without a car. Expanding and improving public transportation across the UAE would not only address these issues but also enhance quality of life, reduce commute times, and lessen the environmental impact of car dependency.

The electric bus initiative in Sharjah is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. These new vehicles, capable of carrying 41 passengers each, are equipped with air conditioning and battery cooling systems suitable for the UAE's climate. This pilot program could pave the way for a broader adoption of electric public transport across the emirates, potentially reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in urban areas.

Yet, the confiscation of thousands of e-scooters and bicycles in Dubai paints a contrasting picture. While safety concerns are valid, the wholesale removal of these vehicles from the streets may be an overcorrection. E-scooters and bicycles offer a low-emission, space-efficient alternative to cars for short trips, potentially easing traffic congestion and reducing the carbon footprint of urban commutes.

The challenge lies in finding a balance between safety and sustainability. While the fines and penalties associated with reckless driving of electronic vehicles are fair, the lack of infrastructure to effectively use these vehicles makes for a harsher reality than intended. An approach to solve this could be developing more bike lanes and creating more extensive routes for e-scooters, which would improve safety while allowing easier access to locations outside of bus and metro routes.

The UAE has shown its commitment to sustainable transport through initiatives like Abu Dhabi's Green Bus Programme, which aims to transform the Emirate into a public transport green zone by 2030. This program, along with Dubai's plans to convert all taxis to eco-friendly vehicles by 2027, demonstrates the country's potential for innovative, sustainable transportation solutions.

To truly embrace sustainable transport, the UAE must consider personal mobility devices as part of the solution rather than a problem to be eliminated. Due to the UAE operating as a federal union with each Emirate maintaining authority over transportation, the variation in emirate-specific approaches to public transport can hinder the collective implementation of cohesive policies across the country. This fragmentation makes it challenging to adopt unified solutions like integrating personal mobility devices, which could be seen as part of the solution in some emirates but as a problem to be eliminated in others. Cities like New York and Shanghai, however, have successfully integrated bicycles into their urban fabric, proving that with proper infrastructure and regulations, these modes of transport can be both safe and sustainable.

As the UAE continues its journey towards a greener future, it must increase its priority for public infrastructure investments alongside support for personal sustainable mobility options. By doing so, the country can create a truly comprehensive and forward-thinking transportation ecosystem that serves all its residents while meeting its ambitious environmental goals.

The path forward requires careful planning, public engagement, and a willingness to embrace new forms of mobility. When Sharjah's electric buses hit the roads, they should not just be seen as a means of transport, but as a symbol of the UAE's potential to lead in sustainable urban mobility — a potential that can only be fully realized by embracing all forms of green transport, from public buses to personal e-scooters.