Some residents in Doha are voicing their frustration and fear amid a series of unexplained disappearances of their bicycles and e-scooters, speculating that unscrupulous individuals were involved in these alleged thefts.
In a post on Facebook, an Asian expatriate was asking for help from his compatriots after his e-Scooter was reportedly stolen in Al Rayyan area where he parked it. He remains hopeful that he will be able to find it with the help of residents. “If you see it (e-Scooter) there at Al Rayyan please contact me (mobile phone number posted),” he said in his post.
Commenting on the post, a netizen said he was not able to recover his e-Scooter, which was reportedly stolen outside the metro station at Mansoura. “I didn’t expect that it will be stolen here,” he added, noting that he reported it to the authorities.
With no clear explanation for the sudden disappearances of these bicycles and e-Scooters, residents are urged to remain vigilant and adopt additional security measures to protect their personal mobility devices.
Some people suggested using heavy-duty locks and parking in well-lit and monitored areas, which may aid in recovery efforts.
A female bicycle user said she was also a victim of theft after her mountain bike, which she uses as in going to and from work daily to save money, went missing at the Najma area, just near her accommodation. “I parked my bicycle there and it was properly locked but when I was about to go to work, I couldn’t find it,” she said. “After that incident, I don’t want to own a bicycle anymore and prefer to walk instead.”
She and other victims felt upset since bicycles and e-scooters have become increasingly popular alternatives to traditional modes of transportation in the city, given their eco-friendly and cost-effective benefits. While such experience was disappointing, the victims remain hopeful that the authorities will soon apprehend those responsible for the crime.
