RTA and Careem launch bike sharing service

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem officially launched the first-of-its-kind bike sharing service in the region, providing 780 pedal assisted bikes over 78 stations across Dubai under the project’s phase one. HE Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA and Mr. Mudassir Sheikha, Co-Founder and CEO of Careem, accompanied by Ahmed Bin Sulayem Executive Chairman of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, inaugurated the service at the Jumeirah Lakes Towers’ station.

Covering several busy areas across the city, such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah Lake Towers, The Greens, Barsha Heights, Dubai Water Canal, Dubai Media City, Downtown Dubai and Al Qudra, in addition to a number of safe roads across Al Karama and Al Mankhool, the service allows a top speed of 30 km/h, which is a safe speed, whether on the bicycle dedicated tracks or on the safe roads that are covered by the service

Careem relies on the latest smart systems to track their bicycles via GPS and anticipate the locations in high occupancy areas. The solar-powered stations will allow users to hire and pay via the Careem Bike app, which allows them to unlock the bicycle by scanning the QR code on

According to its 15-year contract with the RTA, Careem will operate 1,750 bicycles and install 175 stations during the first two years, before increasing them to a total of 3,500 bicycles and 350 stations over the next five years.

Over the past few years, RTA has laid 425 km of bicycle tracks across areas such as Saih Al Salam, Bab Al Shams, Al Qudra Road, Dubai Water Canal, Jumeirah Beach Road, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, in addition to recent projects across Al Khawaneej and Al Warqa, as well as joint-tracks in Al Qusais, Al Karama and Al Manknool (32 km). The overall bicycle tracks across Dubai will reach 647 km by 2023.