Almaty had its first night bike ride on July 4 to promote this year's Astana Day celebrations, Tengrinews reports citing Almaty Akimat (city administration).
Almaty had its first night bike ride on July 4 to promote this year's Astana Day celebrations, Tengrinews reports citing Almaty Akimat (city administration).
The bike ride started at 10.00 p.m. from the crossing of Al-Farabi Avenue and Tattimbet street and finished at the International Ski Jump Complex. The route was closed for traffic from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. to make sure the race was absolutely save.
Akhmetzhan Yessimov, Mayor of Almaty and a vocal supported of bike races, also took part in the race.
Since it was a night bike ride, it was not about speed, but about creativity. The participants had to attach lights of all sorts to their bicycles and outfits to shine in the night, besides, they all got glowing bracelets.
Sergey Sevastyanov won the Most Brightly Shining Participant title, Vyacheslav Prohorov got the prize for the Most Customized Bike, and Nurzhan Savekov was named the Gentleman of the Race.
"This is an outstanding event. Over 4,000 bike riders supported our idea, both professionals and amateurs, even families with kids. It was fun and interesting," the organizers said.
"Racing at night down a wide street with no traffic - this was some breathtaking experience. It was really fun doing this together. Fireworks and lightshows at bridges were also enjoyable," one of the participants of the race Polina Vorobyeva shared.
Reporting by Vladimir Prokopenko, writing by Assal Satubaldina, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina