Cycling Through the Holy City of Medina: A Guide to Using Careem Bike Rental

Medina, as a holy city in Islam, attracts numerous pilgrims from around the world. When exploring this sacred city, the rental cycle service “Careem Bike” can be incredibly convenient. Riding a bicycle through Medina while visiting historical sites offers new discoveries and experiences that can’t be enjoyed by taxi or on foot. In this article, I’ll introduce how to use Careem Bike and share my personal experience with the service.

What is Careem Bike?

Careem Bike is a rental cycle service provided by “Careem,” a popular ride-sharing service throughout the Middle East. With this service, you can rent electric-assist bicycles for as little as one day.

While Careem Bike’s service area is limited and not available in major cities like Jeddah or Riyadh, it covers almost the entire area of Medina city including major tourist spots, commercial facilities, and accommodations. Cycling around the downtown area and the Prophet’s Mosque is a wonderful way to experience the charm of Medina, where history and modernity blend together.

How to Use Careem Bike

To use Careem Bike, you first need to download the Careem app on your smartphone and create an account. If you’ve already traveled in the Middle East and used a taxi, you may have already completed this step.

Next, select the bicycle rental option in the app and choose a pricing plan. The pricing structure is very simple, with membership options like 1-day pass or 30-day pass. Note that unlike systems such as Docomo Bike Share in Japan, there is no hourly rental system.

Once you’ve selected a plan and completed the payment, you’re ready to ride. Search for a nearby bicycle station. When you find a bicycle, scan the QR code attached to it to unlock it and begin using it.

Returning is also very simple. When you arrive at your destination, park the bicycle at a station stand and make sure it’s locked. This completes the rental, and a usage notification will appear in the app. You can also check the availability of ports in real-time within the app, saving you the trouble of searching for a return location.

Note that a valid credit card is required for rental. While most users are Saudi Arabians, the system is easy for foreign tourists to use as well, so you can feel at ease.

Cycling Experience Report

Now let me share my experience using the service! I started renting a Careem Bike from the nearest port to my hotel near the Prophet’s Mosque. From there, I headed south through the city area and explored the Quba Front area.

The area around the mosque was quite crowded with pedestrians, and in some places, I needed to walk while pushing the bicycle. However, the Quba Front area is like a pedestrian paradise with wide roads, making it very pleasant to pedal smoothly. Cycling while observing the vibrant scene of Medina residents enjoying shopping heightened my travel experience.

Additionally, the electric-assist bicycles make pedaling very easy, allowing for comfortable travel even on hot days. When exploring Medina’s urban areas, being able to move around more nimbly than with a taxi made it very convenient for sightseeing, as I could easily stop at small shops and cafes.

Important Notes When Using Careem Bike

While using Careem Bike, I noticed several important considerations.

First, it’s essential to understand Medina’s road conditions and traffic rules before riding. In particular, the central area becomes very crowded before and after prayer times, so you need to be careful when operating the bicycle.

Also, as Medina’s climate can be extremely hot, it’s advisable to avoid long periods of cycling and take frequent breaks. Make sure to stay hydrated, rest in the shade, or use the service during relatively cooler times like early morning or evening to avoid the midday heat.

Furthermore, while Careem Bikes have electric assist, operating them on steep slopes or rough roads can be challenging. Therefore, it’s important to choose safe routes and not push yourself too hard.

In Saudi Arabia, foreign visitors who cause traffic accidents face a high risk of legal troubles, so it’s particularly important to ride cautiously. Pay attention to pedestrians and other vehicles, and prioritize safe riding practices (particularly, if you accidentally bump into someone, even if it’s just minor contact, you might face criminal charges not only from the individual but also from their family, which could result in significant penalties).

Bonus: Stay at Pullman Zamzam Madina When Visiting Medina

By the way, if you’re staying in Medina, I recommend the Pullman Zamzam Madina hotel. Especially from the Haram View rooms or Panoramic Haram View, you can enjoy a privileged view of Medina’s highlight, the Prophet’s Mosque (Al Masjid an Nabawi)! As mentioned earlier, on the ground, non-Muslims often refrain from taking photos out of respect for pilgrims’ sincere demeanor, but from these rooms, there’s no need to worry. You can freely admire its majestic appearance. When planning your Medina visit, definitely consider staying here!

Book Pullman Zamzam Madina from here

www.booking.com

Conclusion

By using Careem Bike, you can freely explore Medina’s urban areas by bicycle. The electric-assist bicycles make travel easy and are perfect for sightseeing. However, be sure to exercise caution when using them under the scorching sun or during times when there are many pedestrians. Also, be mindful of Saudi Arabia’s strict criminal laws and use the service with safety in mind.

When you visit Medina, I encourage you to try Careem Bike. It will allow you to enjoy this historic city from a new perspective. The experience of cycling with Medina’s beautiful scenery will undoubtedly make your trip even more special.