![Akhmetzhan Yessimov. ©Yaroslav Radlovskiy](/userdata/news_en/2014/news_253350/thumb_b/photo_39721.jpg)
The number of cyclists in Almaty has reached 90 thousand, Tengrinews reports citing the Akim (Mayor) of Almaty Akhmetzhan Yessimov.
The number of cyclists in Almaty has reached 90 thousand, Tengrinews reports citing the Akim (Mayor) of Almaty Akhmetzhan Yessimov.
“The number of cyclists in Almaty has grown to90,000, which is 6% of the city’s population. In the last five years, the number of shops selling bicycles has increased from 20 to 30, sales have increased by 2.5 times, and the number of bicycle rentals have spiked from 3 to 21,” Mayor of Almaty Akhmetzhan Yessimov said during the bike ride devoted to Nations Unity Day.
1,500 people participated in the bike ride on May 3 dedicated to the Nations Unity Day, which opened the cycling season this year. At the finish, Yessimov congratulated Almaty residents and guests of the city on the holiday and empahsized that unity helps Kazakhstan develop.
Such bike rides became a tradition in Almaty, this race was the sixth one. The next one is scheduled for May 8, 2014. It will be devoted to the Victory Day.
Cycling is popular among Almaty residents, and Almaty administration with the Mayor himself always support it. It is an alternative to vehicles in a way to improve the ecology of the city as well as the health of the city residents.