Tengrinews.kz — Astana authorities plan to integrate the LRT and city bike-sharing into a single route, allowing passengers to arrive at a station, scan a QR code, and continue their journey on an electric bike. To facilitate this, the capital plans to purchase 1,300 vehicles.
From LRT carriage straight to bicycle
According to technical documentation, the LRT and AstanaBike are planned to be merged into a single system. Passengers will be able to switch between modes of transport using a QR code in a mobile application.
It is expected that there will be no extra charge for such a transfer. This means the trip won't end at the LRT station; from there, commuters can take a bike to reach their home, office, or any other destination.
Public procurement portal data shows the capital intends to purchase 1,300 e-bikes for over 2.3 billion tenge. The new scheme is slated for launch following the integration of AstanaBike with the LRT in 2027.
Specifications of the new bikes
The bikes will be capable of reaching speeds up to 25 kilometers per hour, with a battery range of at least 50 kilometers on a single charge.
The technical requirements also account for the capital's weather. The bike-sharing service is intended for use in temperatures ranging from minus 10 to plus 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, each bike must support a load of at least 120 kilograms.
Vehicle locations will be tracked via GPS. Furthermore, the bikes will be equipped with LTE, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi modules to connect them to the centralized digital rental system.
The bikes will come fully equipped for travel, featuring disc or drum brakes, front and rear lights, a bell, a basket, a chain guard, mudguards, and a kickstand.
Nearly 1.8 million tenge per bike
The cost of a single e-bike is estimated at nearly 1.8 million tenge.
The project extends beyond just bicycles. Authorities plan to install 195 stations across the city, each equipped with 10 parking docks and an information stand featuring an LED screen.
The Astana Akimat expects that integrating with the LRT will increase demand for bike rentals and make "last-mile" travel easier for residents after exiting stations.
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