UAE Leads the Way in Smart Mobility and Integrated Transport Solutions
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has firmly positioned itself as a regional and global leader in constructing a pioneering, modern, and integrated transport ecosystem. Bolstered by world-class infrastructure and an extensive network of roads, bridges, metro, and tram systems, the nation continues to advance its transportation landscape through smart mobility solutions.
Enhancing this robust network, the introduction of electric scooters and bicycles has connected various parts of UAE cities, providing residents and tourists with efficient, easy-to-use, and environmentally friendly options for short daily commutes. These solutions bridge public transport hubs such as bus stops with commercial, retail, service, residential, and leisure centers. Users access these vehicles through smart applications, employing individual QR codes for a seamless experience.
To enable this modern transport landscape, the UAE has proactively opened avenues for startups, welcoming both local and international entrepreneurs. The government has established regulations and prepared appropriate infrastructure for safe usage, making the environment highly conducive for innovative investments in mobility.
Competing companies now offer diverse on-demand services thanks to this fertile business climate. The “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, under the slogan “Our Winter Is Entrepreneurial,” underscores the UAE’s support for startup growth, highlighting how these innovative tourism and transport projects strengthen local presence and fuel regional and global expansion.
Smart mobility solutions—such as scooters and bicycles—have gained significant traction, prompting expansion of coverage by both local and global startups throughout the country. Leading examples include Careem, Uber, Tier, Lime, FENIX, Skurrt, Arnab, and others.
Each service application provides the public with the ability to easily locate the nearest scooter, scan QR codes, and begin safe rides as they adhere to traffic regulations. Many companies have realized strong local and global success after launching in or entering the UAE, often leveraging the market as a springboard into the wider region.
One of the most celebrated cases is Careem, founded in Dubai in 2012 as a delivery services platform. Under its innovative leadership, Careem swiftly scaled operations, culminating in a US$3.1 billion acquisition by Uber in 2019. This monumental event stands as a testament to Dubai’s commitment to nurturing a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Another homegrown success, Arnab, became the UAE’s first micro-mobility startup to integrate multimodal transport systems targeting not just the UAE, but also the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By focusing on affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly transport options, Arnab aligns with the UAE’s broader smart city vision. The company operates a shared digital platform for e-bikes and e-scooters, enabling seamless connections and payment experiences for its users.
FENIX, a global operator, entered the UAE market in late 2021 with a shared electric bike rental service. The company’s expanding portfolio includes e-scooters as well as the region’s first private e-scooter subscription service, My FENIX. Meanwhile, Tier stands out for pioneering swappable battery technology, allowing on-site battery replacement and thereby advancing operational sustainability.
Regulatory support has been crucial. Abu Dhabi started issuing licenses for app-based scooter rental operations in 2019, coupled with public awareness campaigns to ensure safe usage. By 2023, the city had designated eight areas for scooters, including Al Reem Island, Masdar City, Yas Island, and Corniche, as well as stretches on Hamdan Street, Falah Street, Sheikhbout Street, and Al Raha Beach. Ambitiously, Abu Dhabi plans to expand its cycling network to over 3,000 kilometres by 2026.
In Dubai, the electric scooter project was launched in 2020 and quickly expanded to 10 areas by 2022, featuring dedicated cycling tracks. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) introduced online platforms for free public permits and reported a doubling in shared e-scooter trips in 2022 to more than one million rides—with no fatalities or serious injuries—proving the effectiveness of the UAE’s approach to safety and innovation.
Continuing its commitment, Dubai’s RTA introduced in 2025 a smart assessment system for cycling and e-scooter tracks, leveraging the latest advanced technologies. This move enhances maintenance efficiency, traffic safety, and the user experience across the emirate.
Bicycles have now become a central pillar of Dubai’s mobility strategy, appealing to residents and visitors alike. The expansion of cycling networks further integrates the emirate’s tourist and commercial zones, connecting with major public transport stations and reinforcing Dubai’s status as a center for tourism and economic development.
With these ongoing advancements, the UAE stands as a global model for integrated smart mobility, underpinned by investment in infrastructure, innovation, and a business environment that cultivates entrepreneurial ambition.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
