As a student, Karim Sokhn used to cycle to Université Saint-Joseph, frequently returning late at night. “Beirut is charming at night. It is small, everything’s close and it’s fascinating to experience the contrasts between old and new areas.” An intense love for cycling and strong environmental concerns motivated him and Matt Saunders to set up Deghri Messengers – the first bicycle messenger company in the Arab world – as a project run by CyclingCircle s.a.r.l . As of next month, Beirutis will be able to send goods by bike. “Bike messengers are found all over the world in congested cities with large economies, particularly service-based ones,” Saunders explains. “It was a logical step to apply this idea to Beirut.” As co-owner and manager of CyclineCircle, Sokhn has successfully been organizing bicycle rides and bike-related activities, including night rides, around Beirut since its inception a year ago. Saunders, who worked three
Nathalie Rosa Bucher is a features writer specialising in arts and culture, human rights and environmental subjects. She has been based in Beirut since 2012.
