I had lived in Amsterdam before I moved to Marrakech. So no wonder I bought a bike on my second day in the city and started to cycle in Marrakech every day.
It worried me, though, how I would manage to cycle in the hectic streets of Marrakech. This city has so many forms of transportation. Mopeds, motorcycles, donkey carts, horses and carriages – all like to use their own rules like a constant horn blowing and hand gestures. Even pedestrians cross the streets anywhere. Besides, in Amsterdam, cars stop at the red light. In Marrakech – not necessary.
It took me a few days to get used to the local cycling rules. Even though the traffic in the streets looks disorganized, everyone knows their place in this chaos. In Marrakech, bicycle roads are not everywhere. So, it is a good idea to recall your car driving skills.
Where to buy a bicycle?
I bought my bike in the Bab El Khemis flea market. In this large souk, you can find all sorts of old things. It has workshops making furniture, bedding, pottery and metalwork alongside the market stalls and individuals with their goods laid out on the ground.
My first bike cost 700 MAD, and it was a good catch. My second bicycle cost 1200 MAD (around 100 euros). It’s a perfect Dutch-style city bike, almost new, with gears, a front basket and locks. The seller also gave me the receipt with an original bike number, so it is a very legal, registered beauty.
You can also buy bicycles on online advertising pages like Avito.ma or Facebook marketplaces. In Marrakech, there are also plenty of stores to purchase new bikes. However, I still prefer the flea market’s spirit and unique finds.
Bicycles Parking
Where to park your bike in Marrakech? Leaving it attached to something in the street is a significant risk. It would be best if you are looking for a special guard that takes care of cars, bikes, and scooters for a 2-3 MAD fee. How does it work? First, look for a place with many bikes/scooters; next to it, you will see a guard with a safety vest. Say “hi”, show your bike, and he will lead you to the best parking spot.
The parking men will often mark your seat with white chalk and give you a paper ticket. There are many parking garages in Medina, be careful; they get complete speedy, and guards can hide your bike under a dozen others.
Shared bicycles
Marrakech is the first African city to haveing a functioning bike-sharing scheme. The Medina Bike Marrakech project is launched in partnership with UNIDO, GEF, the Ministry for the Environment of the Kingdom of Morocco and the town of Marrakech.
Medina Bike is an entity of the system operator Estates Vision, working in partnership with Smoove SAS, the bike-sharing specialist. This project was organized for COP22, the UN Climate Change Conference, which took place in Marrakech in November 2016.
The project installed 320 new bikes and around 12 stations in locations such as Koutoubia or Majorelle Garden. Bicycles are available 24/7; you will need your credit card. A day pass costs 50 MAD and an annual one – 500 MAD. More info here.
Pikala Bikes
Pikala Bikes project brings old bicycles from Holland to Marrakech and refurbishes them here to use them for social bicycle projects. Pikala bikes also offer professional bicycle tours.
Pikala Bikes office and the rental place are located in Medina, in the Riad Laarous neighbourhood, close to Lycée Mohammed V. More info you will find on Pikala Bikes website.
Baja Bikes
Another company doing bicycle tours in Marrakech is the Baja Bikes, organizing fun bike tours in over 150 cities worldwide. You can book a bicycle tour in Marrakech here.
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This is really amusing article. I like this kind of informative article.. Marrakech is the starting point to start the cycling in Africa.
Marrakech gives off the impression of being an exotic place, yet it seems the cycling infrastructure is pretty decent! Thanks for the post!
Thank you for this very informative site. Nice to learn that Marrakech is a bike friendly city.
Places are wonderful for biking. I see from the article pictures many many Best City Bikes around the Marrakech. I really get information about biking in Marrakech. Thanks!