Dubai to offer Careem bike service

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has joined forces with Careem to operate 3,500 bicycles and 350 docking stations over the next five years.

Careem is to manage 1,750 bikes and install 175 stations for the first two years of the agreement, reports Gulf Business.

Mattar Al Tayer, RTA’s chairman, says the deployment will “provide solutions for the first and last-mile challenge enabling public transport riders to reach their final destinations”.

As part of the deal, Careem will provide a smart system to track bicycles, integrate them via GPS and predict high occupancy areas. The company will also connect solar-powered bicycle racks to a wireless network.

The service is available in residential areas of Marina, Jumeirah, Deira, Al Khawaneej, Al Qusais, Al Mankhool, Al Barsha and the Dubai Water Canal. Bikes can also be picked up in the shopping district of Al Karama.

Users can pay for bikes via the Careem Bike app.

Careem has also been expanding its ride-hailing service. In October, the company expanded into the Iraqi city of Mosul.