Starting November 1, new regulations will prevent delivery riders in Dubai from using high-speed lanes. Announced on Sunday, these rules restrict delivery bikes from the left two lanes on roads with five or more lanes, and the leftmost lane on roads with three or four lanes. On roads with two lanes or fewer, riders can choose any lane, according to a joint statement from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police.
These leftmost lanes, often called fast lanes, were already off-limits to delivery riders under a 2021 rule in Dubai. Similar restrictions are also in place in Abu Dhabi and Ajman.
Major-General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, noted a “concerning rise” in traffic accidents involving delivery motorcycles, attributing this to “reckless and non-compliant riding behaviour” on high-speed lanes.
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“Police data shows 854 traffic accidents last year and 962 in 2025 linked to violations by delivery riders,” he stated. “Dubai Police issued 70,166 violations last year against delivery riders for traffic law breaches. This number increased to 78,386 violations in the first nine months of this year, highlighting persistent unsafe riding practices.
“Motorcycles are highly vulnerable to fatal accidents due to the lack of protective structures and the increased risk of losing control at high speeds,” he added. “Restricting delivery bikes from high-speed lanes is crucial for enhancing rider behaviour, enforcing traffic rules, and reducing fatalities and injuries in the future.”
Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency, mentioned that RTA will work with Dubai Police, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and delivery sector partners to ensure compliance with the new rules.
“Signs will be placed on directional boards to indicate lanes restricted to commercial motorcycles, alongside existing signs prohibiting heavy vehicles from high-speed lanes,” he said.
He also noted that a public awareness campaign through various media and advertising channels, in collaboration with delivery companies, will inform the public about the new restrictions.
Al Banna explained that the decision to regulate delivery bike movement on high-speed lanes resulted from extensive coordination with public and private sector partners to ensure rider safety.
He added: “This decision follows significant growth in the delivery sector, both in demand and the number of bikes on Dubai’s roads. The regulation is based on specialized traffic studies and technical standards within RTA’s governance framework, aligning with global best practices.”
RTA and Dubai Police announced that companies whose riders comply with the new lane restrictions will be recognized under the ‘Delivery Sector Excellence Award’. This initiative aims to encourage healthy competition among delivery operators, enhance road safety, and promote adherence to traffic laws while improving service quality and customer experience.
