Dubai by bike - a complete guide

Cycling in Dubai

Dubai is the city of the future - built from scratch in the Arabian desert, it is full of skyscrapers and phenomenal real estate. Due to its unfriendly climate and difficult ground, for many years Dubai was regarded as a city unsuitable for walkable and cycling transport. This has changed a great deal in the past decade or so! Dubai's walkable and cycling infrastructure has improved and developed a lot. Now exploring the city by bike is a pleasure. New cycling routes are being built in Dubai every now and then, and covering the city's miles on two wheels has become very popular with locals and tourists alike.

Cycling in Dubai can be a great way to stay active on holiday. So be sure to read our guide on: where to rent a bike in Dubai, why Careem bikes are a great option for tourists and where are the best cycling routes in Dubai. Dubai on two wheels - welcome to a comprehensive guide about exploring Dubai by bike!

Renting a bike in Dubai - Careem bikes

What cycling rental apps work in Dubai? Careem in Dubai has led the cycling revolution. Careem is an app for ordering food from restaurants, shopping to take home and many other everyday functions. Careem also has its own bikes, Careem Bike, which is the best way to explore Dubai from a tourist's perspective. Electric bikes in Dubai are extremely popular and it is the fleet of electric bikes that Careem has. Careem bikes have electric assistance and a battery. They are ideal for 1 adult or a larger child - there are no bikes with child seats.

The bikes charge at charging stations, of which there are almost a hundred in Dubai. From there, you can also rent a Careem Bike. The machines are regularly serviced and come with convenient baskets in front of the handlebars for a comfortable ride around the city. Importantly, the bikes are regularly serviced and equipped with necessary safety features such as working lights and bells. The bicycle is an environmentally friendly and convenient form of transport in the city.

How much does it cost to hire a Careem bicycle? The price list is as follows:

• Daily plan (1 day of riding) - AED 29
• Weekly plan (whole week) - 59 AED
• Monthly plan - 99 AED
• Annual plan - 199 AED

Careem cycling plans can be purchased on the Careem app. Careem Bike is a separate subscription, just for the bikes (not as it used to be when bikes were in Careem+). Each package allows 45 minutes of unlimited bike riding. Once the 45 minutes are up, you have to return the bike to the charging station, BUT you can hire the bike as soon as you return it. Remember to ensure you put the bike away effectively - there is an extra time tax of AED 10 for each additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 45 minutes.

Where to rent bikes in Dubai?

What is cycling rental like in Dubai? You can rent electric, road or mountain bikes from special rental shops in the city or next to popular cycling routes outside Dubai. You can read more about this in the article: Best cycling rentals in Dubai. City cycling rentals, Careem Bike for example, are done via an app from charging stations scattered around the city. How do I rent a Careem bike?

• Have the Careem mobile app - download the Careem app on your phone.
• Registration - enter your personal details and register with Careem, then select the appropriate rental plan, such as by the hour, day or week.
• Location - find the nearest rental station or rental point using the app.
• Activation - unlock the bike using the app using the QR code on the frame of the bike.

As you can see, renting a bike at Careem is very easy. Careem's cycling rentals are located all over Dubai, and there are especially many on Dubai Marina. If you want to have a bike rental under your building to explore Dubai in comfort and ride the best cycling routes in Dubai, book accommodation in private flats from Two Continents and enjoy an active holiday all the way.

How to get around Dubai by bike?

Cycling is a great way to get around Dubai on holiday. Cycling routes in Dubai are often by tourist attractions, and even in the absence of a cycle path you can, as a cyclist, navigate on the pavement with care. Remember that the layout of your route should depend on the location of charging stations if you are using Careem cycling and don't want to pay extra for extra time. If you have the option, remember to wear a helmet - safety first.

The best cycling routes in Dubai

The cycling infrastructure in Dubai is impressive in its variety and breadth. We can divide the cycling routes into urban ones as well as those specifically designed outside the city. Cycling enthusiasts can explore Dubai by bicycle, while true two-wheel fans can base themselves on the unique road routes in the desert or can enjoy mountain biking on downhill trails. What are the most interesting cycling routes in Dubai?

• Al Qudra Cycling Track - is a unique 50km cycling track in the desert in Dubai. It is divided into segments to suit different levels of cyclists. Read more about the Al Quadra Cycling Track.
• Jumeirah Beach cycling path - The 16-kilometre path along Jumeirah Beach is the perfect route for a leisurely bike ride. Stop and take in the beautiful views or arrive by bike to watch the sunset at the phenomenal Kite Beach.
• Dubai Marina Walk - one of Dubai's top attractions, this is a 7km promenade along the Dubai Marina district that you can also cycle along.
• Authentic cycling routes - we have created authentic cycling routes that you can use! Among the routes you'll find the route from Dubai Marina to Burj Al-Arab and the long route from Dubai Marina under the Burj Khalifa.
• Nad Al Sheba - this is a converted camel track located near the Meydan Racecourse, where you can enjoy amazing views of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa. The tracks vary in length and you will find lockers, changing rooms and showers on site. The track is floodlit, allowing you to cycle on hot summer evenings.
• Cycling mountain tracks in Hatta - Hatta is a unique place on the UAE map. Belonging to the emirate of Dubai, the city is the perfect place for an active holiday. Hatta's mountainous area is a 52-kilometre mountain cycling trail with 4 different grades, varying in length and difficulty.

Cycling in Dubai - what to know

Cycling attractions in Dubai are often combined with tourist attractions - so cycling is the perfect way to explore the city. When you book attractions in Dubai on the Two Continents website, you can get to them by bike, for example with the city's Careem Bike. Before you set off on your cycling tours in Dubai, you need to know that the weather in Dubai is not the lightest. Remember to carry water with you at all times and stay well hydrated in the heat.

What rules apply to cyclists in Dubai? Cyclists can ride on both cycling routes and walkways, but on walkways they must be very careful and give way to walkables.

What are the best cycling events in Dubai? Cycling enthusiasts will certainly want to enjoy an active holiday even on holiday. The UAE Tour is an annual cycling race, bringing together the best cyclists in the world in a passionate race. Any cyclist can take part in the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, a 92km cycling race that is the largest cycling event in the Middle East.

Questions and answers (FAQs)

• Is it possible to rent a bike in Dubai during the holidays?

Yes, you can rent a bike during your holiday without any problem. You can do this at one of Dubai's bike rental companies or use city bikes such as Careem Bike. A bicycle is the perfect way to explore Dubai in an active and comfortable way.

• What tourist attractions in Dubai can you visit by bike in Dubai?

You can visit most of the most important attractions in Dubai by bike, for example the Dubai Marina Walk, Dubai Harbour, the Burj Al-Arab Hotel and Kite Beach as you cycle along Jumeirah Beach and you can even cycle under the Burj Khalifa.

• What are the best cycling routes in Dubai?

Dubai boasts a number of great cycling routes, most notably the desert-asphalt Al Qudra Cycling Track, the spectacular path at Jumeirah Beach, the cycle route above Al Sheba and the cycling path that runs along the entire Dubai Marina Walk promenade.