A proposal to create a national police registry for electric scooters has been put forward by Northern Municipal councillors following the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy in Budaiya on Sunday.
The move is spearheaded by area councillor Mohammed Al Dossary, who said the aim is not to legalise scooters for road use, but to ensure accountability and traceability amid growing safety concerns.
Tributes have poured in for Salman, who died following a collision involving a vehicle and an electric scooter on Sunday.
He was buried at the Budaiya cemetery the same day.
The tragedy has shocked communities across Bahrain, with many taking to social media to express condolences and call for action to prevent similar accidents.
“A registry does not mean scooters become officially permitted road vehicles,” Mr Al Dossary explained.
“It simply allows police to identify owners in the event of violations or accidents.”
He said the proposed system would include a traceable QR code or barcode sticker placed on every registered scooter, allowing police to instantly access the buyer’s details when scanned during inspections or incidents.
“The QR or barcode would give police the details of the buyer immediately when they approach the scooter. This creates responsibility and acts as a deterrent,” he said.
Mr Al Dossary also called on parents to ensure electric scooters are used safely and only in designated areas.
“Parents have a responsibility to ensure these devices are not used on roads,” he added.
The GDN learned that some teenagers were operating e-scooters in a reckless manner within a private development in the Muharraq Governorate prompting the concerned bodies to warn against the risk posed to the safety of residents and pedestrians.
Since February 2025, the General Directorate of Traffic has banned the use of unlicensed scooters and similar devices on public roads, emergency lanes and vehicle shoulders, citing risks to users and motorists.
Authorities warned that violations could result in confiscation and legal action after repeated incidents involving injuries and traffic disruption across the kingdom.
The General Directorate of Traffic also launched awareness campaigns, urging compliance with road safety laws and highlighting the dangers posed by unregulated scooter use.
Electric kick scooters, self-balancing boards and electric mopeds are being sold in Bahrain and used by children and adults alike. However, their legal classification remains unclear.
An official from the Industry and Commerce Ministry previously clarified that these devices are not considered toys under Ministerial Order No 1 of 2015 on children’s toy regulations, meaning they fall outside the Testing and Metrology Directorate’s oversight and into the remit of other regulators.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has repeatedly stated that ensuring children use scooters safely is the responsibility of parents.
Traffic police have warned about children riding scooters on major roads, with footage circulated during safety campaigns showing risky behaviour by young riders.
Mr Al Dossary believes a simple registration system could act as a strong deterrent.
“When there is a record linking the device to its owner, behaviour changes. It becomes easier for police to act and for families to understand the seriousness of misuse.”
He said the proposal is intended to complement existing bans and awareness efforts, and not to replace them.
“This is about prevention, accountability and protecting lives,” he said, calling for concrete measures before more lives are put at risk.
Councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi backed the proposal and said the issue can no longer be ignored.
“Serious accidents are happening and the latest tragedy shows how dangerous this situation has become,” he said.
“These devices are being used in places they should never be used, and without any accountability.”
Several people have taken to social media voicing alarm at children as young as 10 riding scooters on busy roads, sometimes against traffic flow.
Studies published in the New Zealand Medical Journal earlier indicated that the risk of injury for e-scooter riders is four times higher than for cyclists.
In countries such as the UK, riding e-scooters on public roads, pavements or cycle lanes is illegal, with use restricted to private land.
Similar restrictions exist elsewhere due to the lack of number plates, signalling systems and proper lighting.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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