Scooter and bicycle rentals without an operating card are prohibited in Saudi Arabia
The Public Transport Authority in Saudi Arabia has announced the start of a crucial regulatory phase aimed at restructuring the light transport sector by imposing strict conditions on the rental of bicycles and scooters. This move comes as part of the Authority's efforts to improve the quality of services provided and raise public safety standards in Saudi cities.
Context of the shift towards light transport
The transportation sector in the Kingdom is witnessing rapid development in line with the objectives of Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to diversify transportation options and reduce overall reliance on private vehicles for short distances. Light transportation options, such as electric scooters and bicycles, have emerged as modern and environmentally friendly solutions to traffic congestion challenges, necessitating regulatory intervention to ensure this activity transitions from individual initiatives to a structured, institutionalized sector.
Details of the decision and the new requirements
In detail, the Acting President of the Public Transport Authority, Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, issued a decision approving the technical guide for mandatory specifications and equipment for bicycles and scooters used in rental activities. According to this decision, obtaining a separate "operating card" for each bicycle or scooter has become a non-negotiable requirement for engaging in this activity, based on the updated executive regulations.
Article Fourteen of the Executive Regulations for Bicycle Rental Activities stipulates that all service providers and investors are obligated to obtain this card for each unit offered for public use, ensuring that every vehicle traveling on roads or in public places has been inspected and conforms to the approved technical specifications.
Economic importance and safety standards
This regulation is not merely procedural; it also carries significant economic and security dimensions. Economically, standardizing regulations contributes to creating a fair competitive environment among investors and prevents the influx of substandard equipment that could flood the market and damage the sector's reputation. From a safety perspective, linking the operating license to technical specifications will significantly reduce accidents resulting from technical malfunctions or inadequate safety features in rental vehicles.
Calls for immediate compliance
In response to this decision, the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, acting on the directives of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, circulated the circular to all its members and investors in this sector. The Chamber emphasized the necessity of immediate compliance with the new requirements and rectification of existing situations to ensure the continuity of business operations in a legal manner. It also urged those wishing to enter this promising market to submit their license applications through the designated electronic portal to avoid any legal repercussions that may arise from non-compliance.
This regulation is considered a proactive step that closes the legislative gap that the individual mobility sector has been suffering from, putting an end to randomness and establishing a new phase of safe and organized mobility within the cities of the Kingdom.
