Riding toward unity in Lebanon

On World Bicycle Day, Bike Club Beirut has emerged as one of the country’s rising cycling communities, promoting biking not only as a rewarding sport but also as a meaningful way to explore Lebanon. Founded by Jack Kassabian, Christopher Saab, and Hikmat Khattar, the club was built around a simple yet ambitious idea: uniting Lebanese people through movement. In just two months, the initiative has grown to more than 1,300 Instagram followers and a WhatsApp community exceeding 300 members, with roughly 50 cyclists participating in each ride.

Speaking to The Beiruter, the three founders described the initiative as “a social bike club,” adding that their goal is “to unite the Lebanese people through movement.”

The meaning behind the ride

The club has organized three rides so far, each carrying its own distinct identity. The first, a morning ride followed by a group breakfast, generated immediate enthusiasm and established the tone the founders envisioned for the club: social, welcoming, and memorable. The latest ride took cyclists from Batroun to Hamat, incorporating a visit to a historical site and a short hike along the route.

“Each bike ride is unique in its own way,” the founders said. “There’s no bike ride that’s more successful because each one is a specific adventure.”

The rides extend well beyond Beirut, passing through Batroun, Selata, Jbeil, and Barbara. According to the founders, the objective is to create “unforgettable moments and memories” while fostering a community that feels genuinely warm and safe.

“People are feeling this kind of warmth through community,” they said, “through what we as Bike Club Beirut are creating as a safe community for people to bike and to meet each other.”

Safety on roads not built for cyclists

Operating a cycling club in Lebanon presents challenges that extend beyond logistics. Helmets and protective gear are mandatory for all participants, while a safety vehicle accompanies every ride in case of emergencies or health concerns. So far, the founders noted, no major incidents have occurred.

The broader concern, however, lies in Lebanon’s road conditions and infrastructure. “Most of the time on the roads, there are cars that drive extremely unsafely,” the founders acknowledged. They also pointed to aging roads and the near absence of dedicated cycling lanes in Beirut.

Still, the founders say there are signs of gradual progress. In the Barbara and Batroun areas, dedicated bike lanes have already been introduced, while several initiatives are working to improve conditions for cyclists nationwide. “We see that there are a lot of improvements in the country towards the biking infrastructure,” they said, expressing cautious optimism about the future.

A call to municipal authorities

On a day dedicated to celebrating cycling worldwide, the founders of Bike Club Beirut were direct about what they hope to see from Lebanese authorities. “It would be nice for an initiative from the municipality of Beirut or the government to create biking lines,” they said. “There are a lot of people in Beirut that bike but find it super difficult, not through the will, but through the safety.”

Their vision extends beyond recreational rides. In Europe and the United States, cycling infrastructure supports daily commuting and environmentally conscious transportation. In Lebanon, that ambition remains distant, but the founders insist it is achievable. “If we work on creating more bike lines, it can even arrive to a point to make Lebanon more eco-friendly and inspire people to move, not only to go through small trips by car, but to also think about going with their bikes.”

What’s next

With momentum continuing to build, Bike Club Beirut plans to expand both its rides and its reach, introducing more destinations, additional community events, and new opportunities for people to discover Lebanon from a different perspective. The founders’ message to those still hesitant remains straightforward: come for the ride, stay for the community. On World Bicycle Day, that message resonates clearly.