Electric Scooters: A Call for Regulation Before the Problem Grows

In recent years, the Kingdom of Bahrain has witnessed a noticeable rise in the use of electric scooters—devices that initially appeared as children’s toys, ridden occasionally in neighborhood streets and causing little disruption due to their limited presence.

That quiet beginning has gradually transformed into a much larger phenomenon. Adults have increasingly adopted these scooters as a practical means of transportation, first as a convenient tool for shop and grocery workers delivering nearby orders, and now as a common sight on main roads and highways.

Yet this swift shift from “toy” to “transport” has not been matched by a clear regulatory or legislative framework. As a result, many riders now operate these scooters in ways that endanger themselves and others—travelling along main roads without license plates or even basic safety gear such as helmets. These practices pose a direct risk to both scooter riders and other road users.

The General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior has been quick to recognize this growing danger. It has launched organized campaigns to monitor and control the use of electric scooters and to ensure compliance with traffic rules. In official statements, the Directorate has emphasized that the primary aim is to protect lives and public safety before imposing penalties. This balanced approach reflects the Ministry’s long-standing commitment to combining firm law enforcement with a human touch in public service.

Bahrain’s traffic officers are widely known for embodying this blend of firmness and humanity. One friend recounted to me how his car suffered a tire blowout on the road. Within minutes, a patrol car stopped, and the officers insisted on changing the tire for him, saying: “You’re like my father—don’t tire yourself out.” Such stories exemplify the spirit of community security and compassionate service that defines the Ministry’s work, even in high-sensitivity tasks.

There is no doubt that the future of transportation is electric and environmentally friendly. But that future demands urgent legislative action in Bahrain: to regulate the import and use of these scooters, require licensing, and enforce safety standards. Early regulation will prevent these devices from becoming unsafe or unregulated alternatives tov traditional transport— much like the “tuk-tuk” phenomenonv that spread chaotically in other countries.

(Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune and the President of the Arab-African Unity Organisation for Relief, Human Rights and Counterterrorism)