Buying a Bike in The UAE: Ultimate Guide
Discover the joy and practicality of cycling in the United Arab Emirates, a nation that embraces the culture of two wheels.
Whether you’re seeking an eco-friendly commute, a heart-pumping workout, or a leisurely ride with friends, this guide will ease your journey in finding the perfect bike in the UAE.
Learn about the perks and pitfalls of various buying options, from brick-and-mortar stores to online marketplaces, and become familiar with the key considerations to ensure your ride is safe and enjoyable.
Let’s dive in!
Where to Buy a Bicycle in The UAE?
There are many options for owning a bike in the UAE.
You could get a new one from the market for peace of mind and if you want an unused one.
However, if you are looking to save some bucks but still want an excellent Bike, you can also get a used one from private owners.
Buying it Online
You can buy your first cycles in several different hypermarkets and supermarkets. Most of these markets have websites where you can look at your favorite bike and order it.
There are many downsides to this type of purchase.
A bike is not something you should order without inspecting.
First, you cannot guess the type of material from the pictures even if it’s mentioned. It might feel different to touch physically.
Moreover, some of the bike shops you might order your bike online from will send you a dismantled bike, which you would have to put together yourself, which is again a safety risk.
You would not want your screws to be lost when riding on the highway with heavy to light traffic.
You should always make sure to see your bike physically and inspect it thoroughly on various pointers before buying it. Hence we would recommend against buying bikes online.
Buying it from a Shop
Buying a bike from the shop is always the best move.
Therefore, we would like to introduce some of the best brands for you to try to buy your next or first bike from in the UAE!
When you buy a bike from a shop, you can ride it a little and test out the frame and materials to see if it will support your body and help you propel forward.
Moreover, there are many different things you can be fitted to your bike as well to make it better for you to ride, like custom seats, handlebars, and different lights.
There are brands like Wolfi’s Bike Shop Dubai, and Trek Bicycle Store, which offer many different types of bikes.
At these brands, you can find City bikes, Mountain Bikes, Fat Bikes, Marathon Bikes, and many others.
The staff is very knowledgeable and accommodating so they will help you choose the best bike which suits your needs.
Where to buy a Used Bike in The UAE
Buy at an online marketplace
You can buy or sell your bicycles on many different online platforms. Getting a bike on these websites is not a difficult task at all. There are many buyers and sellers from different areas in the UAE.
Some of the best places to buy bikes online are Semsaro, Dubizzle, and other marketplaces, which make for a neutral ground for the sellers and buyers to come together and negotiate a deal.
Buyers can post an ad with pictures of their respective bicycles, give a brief description, and attach some pictures.
Sellers can sort through the ads and call on the numbers given on the ads to negotiate a deal.
However, we do not encourage you to get bicycles online since you cannot know about the sturdiness of the material and the quality of the parts on the bike unless and until you ride it or inspect it physically.
Only buy through the platforms if you have the chance to properly test it out before committing to the purchase.
Second-Hand market places
Like brands, which offer new bicycles with warranties, flea markets and second-hand bike markets offer bikes at reasonable prices.
These bikes are, however, used.
The degree of how worn out the bike is depended on how much it was used, and you should expect worn-out tires, paint jobs, and a few pieces loose.
However, if a bike is too damaged and you are thinking of buying it cheap and repairing it, we would advise you against it.
Since repairing it yourself can lead to safety hazards if you are not qualified for the job.
Make sure that you buy a bike that is functioning okay and is a solid bike for your frame.
Buying a used bike physically is always better than sitting at home and ordering it online, not knowing what kind of thing would be delivered to you.
Avoid riding a stolen Bike in The UAE
You do not want to get involved with the authorities in the UAE, which are very strict about theft crimes.
So, make sure you buy your bike from registered dealers and brands, and if you are buying it from a private owner, make sure you know them well.
Bike theft is a big issue in the UAE, and hence it is very possible that you have been sold a stolen bike.
You can ask your nearest police station about the bike, provide the details, and ask if the bike has been reported or not. This is just one way to ensure that you are not buying stolen property.
Rules and Regulations you need to know before going biking in The UAE
There are many rules and regulations that you need to follow before you go out bicycling.
These rules are made to keep you safe from other types of heavy traffic and others safe from you on the road.
If you fail to follow these rules and regulations in the UAE, you might get in trouble with the transport authorities in the UAE, which are very strict regarding traffic fines and cases.
It would be best if you drove your bicycle with complete gear, including a helmet. You can get a good helmet for AED 150 and above.
This rule is significant. Moreover, the UAE Traffic Authorities state that your bicycle should have a red rear light, a headlight, and rear reflectors that aid a lot during bicycling at night.
These reflectors also let the incoming traffic know of your presence.
Cyclists in the UAE should only ride their bikes on the right side of the road to avoid disturbing other traffic.
Also, cyclists should also try to look for cycle tracks and use them.
If these tracks are available, cyclists should make sure to use them.
Apart from this, you should ride in a single file if there are multiple cyclists near you and not try to take over each other aggressively.
You should also not take the assistance of other vehicles to pull their bikes.
This, along with stunts, which can be a danger to the public, is also not allowed.
Traffic Police in the UAE will also fine you if you are not holding your bike correctly as well. The fines range from AED 200 to and go all the way up to AED 600.
Check out our article that dives into all the UAE cycling rules you should know!
How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Bike in The UAE?
There are many different price brackets for bikes in the UAE; the price will depend on the brand and the type of bike.
However, as a rule, the price bracket for such bikes is around AED 400 to AED 700.
It would be best if you did not buy bikes that come off as too cheap since makers use cheap materials and cut other corners to bring the price down so they can sell the bike for more profit, beware of this.
Which is the best bike for The UAE?
There are different types of bikes one can use in the UAE.
City bikes are the most popular ones since they are the best for commuting to work and buying groceries.
However, since a large part of the UAE also has rough terrain, there has been a significant rise in the popularity of mountain bikes and fat tire bikes, which provide a better suspension and other features to ride on the rough terrain.
City bikes
City bikes are the first choice among consumers who want to ride their cycles in the city and are commuting to work on them.
These bikes are made of sturdy materials and are road worthy. Their tires are developed especially to ride on pavements and roads.
However, these bikes are not the most good-looking ones on the market, so they lack in the aesthetics department.
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are specialized for those who live in the rough part of the UAE with rugged terrain since they have thicker tires for better grip and traction. However, the tires are much smaller than other bikes.
They do not have any equipment, which would make them worthy of driving on roads, so doing so would endanger your life.
E-bikes
E-bikes are those bicycles with small batteries that aid you in propelling and pushing the bike forward. You might still have to pedal or not pedal at all, depending on the type and make of the E-Bike.
Are Bikes Stolen In The UAE?
Yes, this goes without saying that theft is a very prevalent crime even in developed countries; hence you should ensure to secure your bike if you leave it outdoors for long.
You can use several secure locks and other devices to secure your handlebar or tire.
These types of locks take a lot of time to break, and makes sure that the thief thinks twice about stealing your bike.
You should also put alarms on your bikes and ensure you do not leave them unattended for long periods.
Registering your Bike in UAE
There is no official rule that you have to get your bike registered with the UAE Traffic Authorities.
However, you can register your bike with several local organizations and police, keeping a record of your possessions in case something goes wrong.
You should make sure that the bike has your name and other contact details in case it is found missing or stolen. So it can be traced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embracing the cycling culture in the UAE offers a multitude of benefits, including health, environmental, and social.
However, navigating the bike market requires an informed decision-making process, taking into account safety measures, the suitability of the bike type, and the credibility of the seller.
With the right information and precautions, you can experience the thrill of cycling in the UAE while ensuring your investment is sound and secure.
Lastly, make a cycling group!
Then, taking your bikes out and cycling with your friends will always be fun!
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