My 6-Month Electric Scooter Commute in Riyadh — Real Numbers and Honest Review

The Beginning: Why I Decided to Ride a Scooter in Riyadh

I'm Abdulrahman, a software engineer working in the Olaya district of Riyadh. My office is 3.5 km from the nearest metro station. Every day, I used to order Uber or Careem for this short distance — 12 to 18 SAR per trip, twice daily.

The simple math that changed my decision:

2 trips × 15 SAR average × 22 working days = **660 SAR monthly** on Uber alone!

× 12 months = **7,920 SAR annually** — nearly a full month's salary going to transportation.

In November 2025, I bought a Xiaomi M365 scooter from Nshtare for 1,499 SAR. Here's my real experience after 6 full months.

Month 1: Learning and Adapting

Week 1 — Excitement and Mistakes

The first day I was overly excited. I rode the scooter without a helmet (huge mistake!) and went full speed on the sidewalk. I hit a small pothole and almost fell. Learned my lesson quickly.

What I bought after the first week:

Safety helmet (89 SAR) — best 89 SAR I've ever spent.

Protective gloves (35 SAR).

LED light kit (59 SAR) — essential since I sometimes return home after sunset.

Rest of the Month — Building the Routine

After about two weeks, the commute felt completely natural. I discovered the best route: avoiding the main Tahlia Street (crowded and dangerous) and using parallel internal roads instead.

Time comparison:

By scooter: 12-15 minutes (almost consistent).

By Uber during rush hour: 20-35 minutes + 5 minutes waiting for the driver.

The scooter is faster than Uber during rush hour! This was something I didn't expect.

Months 2-4: Comfort and Discovery

Weather and Challenges

December-January (Winter):

Perfect weather! 15-22°C. The absolute best time for scootering.

The only issue: occasional strong winds. They reduce speed and drain the battery 15% faster.

February-March (Early Heat):

25-32°C. Still comfortable if you ride early morning or late afternoon.

Started carrying a small water bottle with me.

Discoveries That Changed My Experience

Office Charging: I discovered outlets under my desk at work. I charge the scooter during office hours (for free!) — my home electricity bill wasn't affected at all.

Short Errands: I started using the scooter for everything — groceries, coffee shops, gym. Suddenly the city felt smaller!

People's Reactions: At first, people were surprised. After two months, 4 of my colleagues bought scooters. We now have an unofficial "scooter club" at the office!

Months 5-6: The Real Summer Test

The Biggest Challenge: Riyadh Heat

April-May 2026:

Temperatures started exceeding 38°C. Riding between 11 AM and 4 PM became impractical.

The Solution: I adjusted my routine. I ride at 7:15 AM (before the heat kicks in) and return at 5:30 PM.

Heat Impact on Battery:

Range dropped from 28 km (winter) to ~22 km (summer) — roughly a 20% decrease.

But my round trip is only 7 km, so the battery handles it easily.

Very Important Tip: Never leave your scooter parked under the sun. Once I forgot it for two hours — the battery showed a heat warning and refused to start until it cooled down.

The Real Numbers: How Much Did I Actually Save?

Scooter Costs (6 Months)

ItemCost

|------|------|

Scooter price (Xiaomi M365)1,499 SARHelmet + gloves + lights183 SARElectricity for charging~8 SARReplacement rear tire (month 5)49 SAR**Total****1,739 SAR**

Alternative Uber Cost (6 Months)

ItemCost

|------|------|

2 trips/day × 15 SAR average30 SAR/day× 22 working days × 6 months3,960 SAR+ Extra errands (groceries, coffee) ~200 SAR/month1,200 SAR**Total****5,160 SAR**

The Result

MetricValue

|--------|-------|

**Net savings (6 months)****+3,421 SAR****Scooter payback period**Within 2.5 months**Expected monthly savings**~660 SAR (after paying off the scooter)**Expected annual savings**~7,000 SAR

What Nobody Tells You — The Downsides

I wouldn't be honest if I said everything was perfect. Here are the real challenges:

1. Carrying Things

The scooter can't carry large shopping bags. If you buy more than two bags from the supermarket, you'll need delivery.

2. Formal Clothing

If your job requires a formal suit, the scooter isn't the best option — sweating in summer + risk of getting dirty.

3. Rain (Rare)

Riyadh rain is infrequent but intense. On rainy days I use Uber (only 3-4 times in 6 months).

4. Some Drivers' Reactions

Some car drivers don't expect a scooter on the road. You must always be cautious at intersections.

5. Tire Wear

In month 5, the rear tire wore out (normal after about 2,000 km). I replaced it with a puncture-proof solid tire from Nshtare for 49 SAR — the best upgrade I've made. No more flats!

Who Should Get an Electric Scooter? ✅

An employee whose workplace is 2-7 km from home or the nearest metro station.

A university student commuting on campus or between dorms and classes.

Someone living in a large residential compound who needs to move between facilities.

Daily Uber/Careem users for short distances who want to save money.

Who Should NOT Get a Scooter? ❌

Long-distance commuters (more than 15 km one way).

Jobs requiring formal attire with no changing facilities.

Areas without sidewalks or suitable pathways.

Seniors with balance issues (a seated scooter is better for them).

The Bottom Line After 6 Months

The electric scooter completely changed how I commute. It's not just about the money — the time saved, the freedom to move without waiting for a driver, and the light daily exercise — these are all gains I never imagined.

Do I regret the purchase? Never. Would I recommend it? Absolutely — but read this entire article before deciding, and start with the helmet!

At Nshtare, we provide everything you need — from the scooter itself to spare parts and safety gear, with free shipping and cash on delivery.