Rustam Minnikhanov looks around new bicycle paths in Almetyevsk

On September 4, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov arrived on a working visit in Almetyevsk to take part in festive events dedicated to the Day of workers of oil and gas industry the Day of the City.

Upon his arrival to the oil capital of the republic, Minnikhanov got acquainted with the development of the local bicycle infrastructure. Head of Almetyevsk municipal region Airat Khairullin said that about 50 km of bicycle paths have been built in Almetyevsk. It is planned to increase their length up to 200 km.

Work to install bicycle parking is underway. It is estimated that the city, including educational institutions, enterprises, social and cultural facilities, sports centres, residential areas, needs about 12,000 parking places. As many as 2770 places are available today.

According to Khairullin, it will be possible to ride a bike all year round. A special snow-clearing equipment was purchased for this purpose.

Experts from Sweden were involved in the project development. The construction of bicycle paths is performed in parallel with the development of public spaces and pedestrian zones. Head of the region said that, according to surveys, with appropriate infrastructure available more than 70 per cent of Almetyevsk citizens are ready to go by bicycle.