At first glance, Dubai will probably not strike you as a cycle-centric city with its tall skyscrapers, multilane highways and sandy desert dunes. However, cycling in Dubai has become incredibly popular amongst Dubai’s citizens and residents in recent years thanks to the investments made in cycling facilities, bike paths, bike rental shops and road safety. Whether it is biking around a neighborhood park, along the Dubai Marina Walk, around the Jumeirah Lakes Towers, or the full 50-kilometer loop of the Al Qudra Cycle Track, people in Dubai love to explore the city by bike.
You can rent a bike all year round in Dubai, but as the summer months are very hot and humid, winter and spring are the best seasons to explore the city by bicycle.
First off, it’s important to decide where you want to go biking as there are many options when it comes to dedicated cycling routes and bike paths all across the city, and most of these areas have dedicated places for bike rental. Here are three examples of popular cycling areas in Dubai for you to consider on your next trip, but here are loads more around alongside the beach, in public parks and around key residential areas in Dubai. The choice is yours!
The Al Qudra Cycling Track
This is a truly unique and ecofriendly way to explore the Dubai Desert, to feel one with nature and to have the opportunity to come up close and personal with the Emirates’ friendly wildlife, including camels and the Arabian Oryx. The Al Qudra Cycling track is popular with local cycling clubs, fitness enthusiasts and families alike, and is busiest on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays). The 85-kilometre bike path includes a 50 kilometre loop around Al Qudra road that takes you right across the stunning desert dunes of Dubai with the opportunity to visit the mesmerizing Al Qudra Lake.
There are several bike rental shops at the Al Qudra Cycling Track where you can rent different types of bicycles including road bikes and mountain bikes.
Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park
Closer to the city, and adjacent to the world renowned Nad Al Sheba Racecourse that is home to the Dubai World Cup, is Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park, another popular haven for Dubai’s cyclists. It is an old camel track that has been converted into a bike path offering a choice of 4km, 6km and 8km cycling loops as well as a dedicated path for children. What’s exciting about this cycling area is that you have stunning, uninterrupted views of Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai. You can rent a bicycle at the Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park with prices starting from AED 50 and access to the cycling track is free of charge.
Dubai Autodrome
Yes, your read it correctly. This is indeed a car racetrack, but every Wednesday evening Dubai Autodrome opens its doors to cyclists of all ages. This is a perfect opportunity for the less experienced (or the out of practice/shape cyclist!) to get some training in before heading out to one of the longer cycling parks and tracks in Dubai. It’s also a great place for the younger ones to learn how to cycle in a safe environment. Bikes can be rented on a first come first serve basis directly at Dubai Autodrom, which is located in Motor City.
Bike share your way around Dubai
Careem BIKE, in partnership with the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is the region’s first and largest bike rental sharing initiative in the city, offering bike rental stations in ten different areas in Dubai including Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Media City and Karama.
Providing fast and easy access to pedal-assisted bikes, you can unlock and rent a bike through their mobile App and return it to any of the stations once you’ve finished your ride. You can rent bikes on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual membership basis for lots of flexibility at super affordable rates.