Careem Bike has quickly become a popular alternative to traditional transport options in Madinah. Since its launch earlier this year, more than 500,000 bike trips have been completed across the city, marking a significant shift in how people move around the city.

The service has transformed first- and last-mile transportation, such as traveling to work, home, or a bus or train station, providing an affordable and efficient way to travel, for business or leisure. We spoke to a few customers around the city to understand why they choose to ride on Careem Bikes.

One regular customer said that commuting to and from work has been made so much quicker and easier, as they can avoid all the traffic, while another, who relies on Careem Bike for daily errands, stated: “I can get around the city quickly and more efficiently now.”

With numerous stations, and 70 km of dedicated bike lanes, spread across Madinah’s most popular areas, Careem Bike offers a stress-free and eco-friendly way to travel around the city. Riders in particular called out the pleasant route along Qiba Road, as well as the city’s center: “I love riding around Haram and seeing all the people it’s such a unique experience.”

The service is also used by a wide variety of nationalities in Madinah – from locals and expats, to pilgrims on their way to perform Haj or Umrah. A frequent rider from Bangladesh, who has taken 809 trips over the past year, said that Careem Bike made transportation so much easier, believing it’s “a game-changer for getting around the city.”

Careem Bike’s pedal-assist feature enables commuters to save energy and cycle long distances with ease, and one cyclist – who began using the service just a month ago – described the experience as “completely different from using a regular bike; the pedal- assist e-bikes are easy to ride, and I don’t feel fatigued afterward.” Having used the service more longer-term, another loyal customer described the bikes as easy to ride, requiring minimal effort.

Benefits of using Careem Bike go beyond ease of use, complemented by the Careem app’s functionality when it comes to showing nearby docking stations and the availability of bikes within a customer’s vicinity. It is also inexpensive, particularly in the form of added value provided by annual passes. One cyclist said: “Having a yearly pass has made it so much more affordable for me to explore the city.” Another added that “the bikes are very cost-effective compared to taxis, which is great for quick trips.”

Careem Bike’s commitment to sustainability, and the health benefits cycling can provide, is further echoed in customer feedback. “It’s great for reducing pollution and keeping fit,” one rider noted, with another suggesting “biking is not only great for my health, but also helps cut down on traffic, and provides a convenient way to get around the city.”

Careem Bike has proven to be a game-changer in Madinah, offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional transportation. With ongoing expansion and development, Careem Bike’s mission is to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of people in Saudi Arabia.