Dubai Metro + E-Bike: Can You Bring Your E-Scooter on the Train?
Customer asked me this last week: “I want to ride my e-bike to the Metro station, take the train downtown, then ride the last 2 km to work. Can I bring my e-bike on the Metro?”
Short answer: Depends what kind of e-bike you have.
Long answer: The RTA has specific rules about what you can and can’t bring on the Metro. E-scooters? Recently allowed (with conditions). Regular e-bikes? No. Folding bikes without batteries? Yes.
Here’s what actually works for combining Metro + e-bike commuting in Dubai. This also depends on where riding is allowed outside stations — covered here: where you can (and can’t) ride e-bikes in Dubai.
The current rules (as of 2025)
The RTA changed these rules a few times over the past couple years. There was a total ban on e-scooters in March 2024. Then they lifted it in October 2024 with new restrictions.
Here’s where things stand now:
✓ Allowed on Metro:
- Foldable e-scooters (with restrictions — see below)
- Foldable bicycles WITHOUT batteries (regular bikes, not e-bikes)
- Non-electric kick scooters (folded)
✗ NOT allowed on Metro:
- Full-size e-bikes (even if you can lift them)
- Foldable e-bikes with batteries
- Non-folding bicycles of any kind
- E-scooters with seats
- E-scooters that don’t meet size/weight limits
Let’s break down each category.
E-scooters: What’s allowed
As of October 2024, the RTA allows foldable e-scooters on Dubai Metro and Tram.
But there are specific requirements:
- Must be foldable: No non-folding e-scooters allowed, even if they’re small
- No seat: Stand-up scooters only. Seated e-scooters are banned
- Size limit: Maximum 120cm (length) x 70cm (height) x 40cm (width) when folded
- Weight limit: Maximum 20kg
- Must stay folded: You can’t unfold it anywhere inside Metro stations, trains, or on footbridges
- Must be turned off: Power off at all times while in Metro premises
Most compact folding e-scooters (Xiaomi, Ninebot, Kugoo, etc.) fit within these limits. But verify your specific model before you try.
Where to put your e-scooter on the Metro
Once you’re on the train:
- Place it in the designated luggage area (near the doors at each end of the carriage)
- Don’t block doors, seats, aisles, or emergency equipment
- Don’t let it obstruct other passengers
- You’re responsible for it — if it tips over or causes damage, that’s on you
Which gate to use
Use the wide gates at Metro stations. The narrow turnstile gates won’t accommodate a folded e-scooter.
Most stations have at least one wide gate near the ticket machines. Look for the accessible entrance — that’s usually the wide gate.
What you CAN’T do with your e-scooter on Metro
- Charging your e-scooter anywhere in Metro stations or trains
- Riding it inside stations, on platforms, or in trains
- Bringing it if it’s wet or dirty (yes, this is an actual rule)
- Bringing it if the battery is damaged, swollen, or modified
- Leaving it unattended in the luggage area
Regular bicycles (non-electric): What’s allowed
Foldable bicycles WITHOUT batteries are allowed on Dubai Metro.
Same rules as e-scooters: must be folded, must fit in the luggage area, use the wide gate, don’t block anyone.
But here’s the key distinction: if your folding bike has an electric motor or battery, it’s NOT allowed. The RTA is explicit about this — “foldable bicycles without any batteries.”
So if you have a Brompton Electric or any other folding e-bike, you can’t take it on the Metro. Even if you remove the battery at home and carry it separately, the rule still applies.
Will Metro staff check every folding bike to see if it has a battery? Probably not. But if something goes wrong (fire risk is the RTA’s stated concern), you’ll be liable. And if they do check and catch you, you’ll get fined and possibly banned.
Full-size e-bikes: NOT allowed
If your e-bike doesn’t fold, you can’t bring it on the Metro. Period.
Doesn’t matter if it’s lightweight. Doesn’t matter if you promise to hold it carefully. Full-size bikes — electric or not — are banned inside Metro stations and trains.
Your options if you have a full-size e-bike:
Option 1: Use the bike racks outside Metro stations
Most Metro stations have bike racks outside. Before you rely on them, read how to lock your e-bike in Dubai (and why cable locks are useless). You can lock your e-bike there and take the Metro without it.
But — and this is important — bike theft at Metro stations is common. We covered this in our post on locks, but it’s worth repeating: use a good U-lock, lock through the frame, and don’t leave expensive bikes at Metro stations overnight.
Karama, BurJuman, Deira, and DWTC stations are known theft hotspots.
Option 2: Use Metro footbridges as crossings (without entering the train)
You’re allowed to use Metro station footbridges to cross busy roads with your bike. Just walk your bike across.
You can enter the station, use the elevator or escalator to get to the footbridge level, cross over, and exit on the other side. You just can’t enter the paid area or board a train.
This is useful if you’re cycling along Sheikh Zayed Road and need to cross safely.
Option 3: Don’t combine Metro + full-size e-bike
This is what most people with full-size e-bikes end up doing. They either:
- Ride the entire distance without using Metro
- Use Metro without the bike
- Buy a folding e-scooter specifically for last-mile Metro commutes
Is a folding e-scooter actually practical for Metro commutes?
Depends on your route and tolerance for hassle.
Realistic scenario:
You live 3 km from the nearest Metro station. You ride your folding e-scooter to the station, fold it (takes 10-30 seconds depending on model), carry it through the wide gate, take the elevator down to the platform, board the Metro, place it in the luggage area, ride 5 stations, pick it up, exit, unfold it, and ride the last 2 km to work.
Total added time compared to just taking Metro: maybe 5-10 minutes. Total added effort: carrying a 15-20 kg scooter through the station.
Is it worth it? If it saves you a 20-minute walk on either end, yes. If it only saves you 5 minutes, probably not.
- Get the lightest folding e-scooter you can afford (under 15 kg if possible)
- Avoid peak hours if you can — carrying a scooter through a crowded Metro during rush hour is miserable
- Use a shoulder strap or carrying handle to make it easier
- Practice folding/unfolding a few times before your first commute — you don’t want to fumble with it on a crowded platform
What happens if you break the rules?
If Metro staff or RTA inspectors catch you with a non-compliant e-bike or e-scooter:
- You’ll be asked to leave the station immediately
- You might get fined (exact amount unclear, but expect 200-300 AED)
- Repeat offenses could lead to temporary bans from Metro
If your e-scooter causes an accident or obstructs other passengers, you could be held liable for damages or injuries.
If your battery catches fire (this is the RTA’s primary concern), you’re in serious legal trouble. Battery fires on public transport are treated as major safety incidents.
Why did the RTA ban e-scooters in the first place, then allow them again?
Short version: Fire risk.
In March 2024, the RTA banned all e-scooters and battery-powered mobility devices from Metro and Tram. The stated reason: “potential of catching fire.”
Lithium-ion batteries — especially cheap ones — can catch fire if damaged, overheated, or poorly manufactured. In an enclosed Metro train, that’s catastrophic.
By October 2024, the RTA reversed the ban with new restrictions (size limits, no charging, no damaged batteries, etc.). They decided the benefit of allowing last-mile connectivity outweighed the risk, *as long as* batteries met safety standards.
Don’t bring a sketchy no-name e-scooter with a swollen battery on the Metro. Buy from reputable brands (Xiaomi, Ninebot, Segway, etc.) and don’t modify the battery. If your battery looks damaged or has been dropped hard, don’t risk it.
Practical advice: Should you buy a folding e-scooter for Metro commutes?
If your commute involves Metro + significant walking (10+ minutes on either end), yes. A folding e-scooter is worth it.
If your Metro stops are already close to home and work (5 minutes walking), probably not. The hassle of carrying the scooter outweighs the benefit.
What to look for in a Metro-compatible e-scooter
- Weight under 15 kg: Lighter is better. Carrying 20 kg through a station gets old fast.
- Compact fold: Make sure it actually fits the 120x70x40 cm limit. Measure your model’s folded dimensions before buying.
- No seat: Some folding e-scooters have removable seats. Remove it before taking the Metro.
- Reputable brand with quality battery: Xiaomi M365, Ninebot ES2/ES4, Segway models. Avoid random Amazon/Noon brands.
- Carrying handle or strap: Makes it way easier to lug through the station.
Alternatives to Metro + e-scooter
If Metro + e-scooter sounds like too much hassle, consider:
RTA buses: Buses don’t allow bikes or e-scooters either. But some routes connect areas Metro doesn’t reach.
Careem/Uber from Metro station: Ride your e-bike to the Metro station, lock it there, take Metro downtown, then grab a quick Careem for the last 2 km. More expensive than riding the whole way, but less hassle than carrying a scooter.
Just ride the entire distance: If your commute is under 15 km total, riding the whole way on an e-bike might be faster and more convenient than dealing with Metro transfers.
One more thing: Tram has the same rules
Dubai Tram follows the same rules as Dubai Metro.
Foldable e-scooters (meeting size/weight limits) are allowed. Foldable bicycles without batteries are allowed. Everything else is banned.
Same restrictions on charging, riding inside stations, damaged batteries, etc.
What we tell customers
When people ask us about combining Metro + e-bike, here’s the honest answer:
If you already own a full-size e-bike and want to use Metro, you can’t bring it on the train. Lock it at the station (with a good lock) or don’t combine the two.
If you’re buying specifically for Metro commutes, get a lightweight folding e-scooter (under 15 kg, no seat, compact fold). If you’re still deciding between options, this helps: should you buy an e-bike or an e-scooter in the UAE? Xiaomi and Ninebot models work well.
If carrying a scooter through Metro stations sounds annoying, it is. But if it saves you 15-20 minutes of walking, most people tolerate it.
The rules exist for safety. Follow them. Don’t try to sneak a full-size e-bike onto the train. Don’t bring a damaged battery. Don’t charge your scooter in the station.
Metro staff are getting stricter about enforcement. It’s not worth the fine or the ban.
