Although many residents have already tried the electric bikes and scooters and are aware of the process for renting one via designated apps, here’s to the ones who are still trying to navigate through.

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Electric bikes and scooters, dismissed before the pandemic as a curiosity or nuisance, have been getting getting traction in Doha seeking new transportation options, obviously short distance because of the humidity and heat.

Strolling along the seven-kilometre stretch of Doha Corniche, one wouldn’t fail to notice the dozens of electric motorised scooters (e-scooters) scattered around specially near the park close to Sheraton Doha.

The e-scooters labeled Loop, Karwa, Flacon and Fenix are part of a scooter-sharing services which makes them available for short-term rentals through an app. In some countries, scooter-sharing systems have gained traction as one of the least expensive and most popular micro-mobility options. They’re sustainable and pollution free.

These dockless e-scooters don’t have a fixed station and can be conveniently picked up and parked in various locations in the city. The electric bikes and scooters alike and distance sensitive which means that they’re only functional upto a certain radius and taken beyond that would cause it to stop functioning.

Currently, dozens of these e-scooters can mostly be found on Doha Corniche, the West Bay area, the Pearl — Qatar and other arbitrary locations around the city. Whether you’re hopping on the Doha Metro, or are walking and cycling places, it’s an easy way to minimise your carbon footprint. Although many residents have already scooted around and are aware of the process for renting one via designated apps, here’s to the ones who are still trying to navigate through.

Users can ride in three easy steps:

1. Locate: Through the provider’s app, you’ll be able to locate the nearest scooters available through GPS technology.
2. Scan: Once you reach the scooter, just scan the QR code and pay through the app to be able to use it.
3. Ride: You can then hop on the scooter, put on your helmet, and ride to your destination.

These are the few options of E-scooters available across Doha.

Loop Mobility

Loop Mobility aims to provide the first and last-mile micro-mobility solutions in Qatar through its scooter-sharing service. If you frequent the Corniche, you’ll see Loop scooters scattered along the stretch of the Corniche, waiting to be used.

Installing the app will require you to sign up for an account using your email address and a scanned copy of your QID.

Karwa x Falcon Ride

Falcon Ride, another company aiming to provide e-scooter-sharing in Qatar, is available in West Bay, Katara, Pearl Qatar, and Lusail area. The company has recently signed an exclusive partnership with Swiftmile, a US company providing electric vehicle charging stations. Users will have to download the Falcon Ride app to unlock the scooters and they will be charged QR2 for unlocking and 50 dirhams for every minute of use.

Wer2

wer2 established in 2020, provides micro-mobility solutions to commuters using the latest technology and electric-powered vehicles.

Fenix

Fenix has 3 kinds of e-scooters available: Spirit, Bumblebee, and Fireball. You can get 150 credits for QR 100, 400 credits for QR 200, and 900 credits for QR 300.

Safety during your ride:

The growing popularity of electric scooters (e-scooters) as a mode of transportation in Qatar has reiterated calls for riders to wear proper safety gear and adhere to road traffic guidelines in order to prevent accidents.

It is learnt that a number of riders have sustained injuries from accidents attributed to speeding, and riding without helmets and reflective safety vests especially in the evening, apart from failing to check their scooters before using it.

Many e-scooter riders, commuters and pedestrians have urged other riders to strictly follow traffic rules and regulations, particularly when crossing roads and pedestrian lanes.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), following reports of minor to moderate injuries sustained in a number of accidents involving e-scooters last month, advised Qatar residents to use these vehicles in a safe manner and “practice proven safe e-scooter use”.

A Facebook group named “Electric Scooter Qatar (ESQ)” has been on the forefront of promoting and raising awareness on responsible e-scooter riding in the country.

It also aims to educate the public and its members on the importance of road safety, and mandatory and proper use of safety gears.

In a number of posts on social media, the group also urged riders to refrain from using mobile phones while riding, and advises adults to wear proper helmets, goggles, elbow pads, gloves, knee pads, and proper shoes, to set an example for young riders.

The ESQ requires its members to adhere to a number of rules and regulations, such as: no wearing of shorts on quick/official rides, no loud music while riding, “pointing e-scooter headlights and auxiliary lights to a position that does not blind other vehicles or pedestrians”, wearing closed shoes (no slippers allowed), and pushing scooters once they enter metro stations and malls, and keeping them folded before reaching security checkpoints while at the station and in the train.