Automatic bike rentals have opened in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, Tengrinews reports referring to Yeldos Chickenov, the head of the department for the development of mass sports at Kazakhstan's Agency for Sports and Physical Training.
Automatic bike rentals have opened in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, Tengrinews reports referring to Yeldos Chickenov, the head of the department for the development of mass sports at Kazakhstan's Agency for Sports and Physical Training.
"We are planning to launch 40 bicycle parking lots in the part of Astana city located on the left bank of the Ishim River. The project will be implemented in three stages. At the first stage made 200 bicycles available, 5 on each parking lot. The launch took place on July 6, on the Astana City Day," Yeldos Chikenov said.
Samruk-Kazyna National Wealth Fund, Agency for Sports and Physical Training and Astana city administration signed a memorandum on further development of bicycle infrastructure in Astana. The automatic bicycle parking system is part of the project, Chikenov said.
Most of the bicycle rentals are located in the center of Astana city. Around 25 lots are located between Akorda, Kazakhstani White House, and Khan Shatyr mall, and three-four blocks around the Defence Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry headquarters (Dostyk, Kunayev streets).
Bicycles are also available near major trade centers, Kazmedia center (Kunayev Street, 4), 7 Barrels apartment complex (near Asia Park trade center and mosque) and Diplomatic Business Center (at the crossing of Kunayev and Akmeshit streets).
Bike rent can be paid with a credit card, but first one should register via astana.bike app. "The system will be automated. Any person who has registered through the mobile application can rent bikes by entering his or her personal code, and paying the necessary amount through a terminal,” Yeldos Chickenov said.
"The bicycles are similar to the Dutch ones. They have a GPS, puncture-resistant tires, baskets, headlights and backlights, “ Yeldos Chikenov said.
In the long run, the bike rental system is part of preparations for the EXPO-2017 in Astana, and the part launched on the City Day is more of a pilot project.
Reporting by Aidana Usupova, writing by Assel Satubaldina, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina