The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

The more time we spend stuck in traffic in our cars, the more bored and unhealthy we feel. Cairo’s notorious jams are definitely something we all wish to avoid, but it’s not always obvious how. Some of us prefer the metro, but when it comes to travelling in our own neighbourhoods, using underground transportation is not always an option. Cycling is a great alternative to this. It might seem daunting, if not impossible, to take a long ride by bike, although it isn’t too much of a big deal for the adventurous types. For the faint of heart, however, cycling is the ideal form of short-distance transportation if you have a few errands to run. But you might be wondering where to start, so we’re here to help you prepare for your cycling journey.

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So many cycling initiatives have been launched over the past few years in Cairo and Alexandria, and they’ve increasingly gained visibility. If you’ve been in Zamalek or Maadi lately, you would have seen people riding scooters – courtesy of Rabbit Mobility. Ever since 2021, we’ve witnessed more and more bikes around Cairo and even a few bike lanes here and there! Seeing this got many of us thinking that maybe cycling isn’t impossible after all. Rabbit in particular has made riding scooters super easy thanks to their user-friendly application, which is available all around Cairo.

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While the idea of cycling seems wonderful, it can feel very unsafe when done alone. This is why groups like Bike Zone Egypt are extremely important. An NGO catering to cyclists and cycling enthusiasts, it brings people together over their shared passion for biking. They not only break the ice between sceptics and the idea of riding around Cairo, but they also share tips on how to stay safe while cycling around the city. Let’s be honest; we’re not here to tell you that cycling is the right way to get around and take away from the fact that it can be dangerous without the necessary precautions. This is why organisations like Bike Zone are needed to share the necessary information.

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Bike Zone is not the only one raising awareness about the beauty and importance of cycling in Egypt. Tabdeel is also there to educate Egyptians on absolutely everything there is to know when getting out and riding your bike around the city. Founded by four urban planners with work experience in bike-friendly places like Denmark and the Netherlands, they aim to make Egypt, especially Cairo and Alexandria, easier to navigate by bike. Their focus is very educationally driven by hosting workshops and talks, and they’ve played a considerable role in getting more people on their bikes, particularly women.

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Many of us already own a bike, but for those who don’t and are not sure about purchasing one, there are many options for rentals out there. Cycle Egypt, for instance, is one of the biggest groups of cycling amateurs in Egypt who aim to democratise the use of bikes for transportation and not only leisure. One of the ways in which they’ve been successful in doing so is by providing people with the option to rent. The great thing about them is that renting through Cycle Egypt allows you to keep your bike for a month. They’re also available in Alexandria and Dahab, proving to us that they are keen on spreading the use of bikes across the country, and not only the capital.