Ilsur Metshin tests first bicycle lane in Kazan

(Kazan KZN.RU, April 20, by Renat Shirmanov) Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin inspected the construction work on the Kazanka embankment today. Using a bicycle, the Mayor rode on a finished bike path from the Lenin Causeway to the national cultural center "Kazan.” The contractors assured the Mayor that the 1.5 km long pedestrian area will be completed by August 30. It is planned to double the length of the promenade, extending it to the “Millennium” bridge in future.

This week Kazan opened a new season of the automatic bicycle rental «Veli'K», which was launched in the capital of Tatarstan last year. Recall that Kazan became the first city in Russia to follow Europe in implementing this kind of project. Ilsur Metshin rented a bicycle at the Kremlyovskaya St. rental. The Kazan Mayor asked about the results of last year's season.

A «Russ Outdoor» representative, Kamil Habibullin, said that by June 1, the network of bike rentals in central Kazan will be extended. It is planned to open five new rentals, the total number reaching 12 in the Tatarstan capital.

Ilsur Metshin drew attention to the fact that the cycling infrastructure in the city should be expanded. In particular, according to the head of the city, it makes sense to pay attention to the experience of many cities around the world, where some of the streets on weekends are closed off to traffic and become pedestrian. The opening of the improved Kazanka embankment with the first biking and rollerblading path in Kazan will be most helpful for the development cycling culture, said Ilsur Metshin. During his ride, the Mayor inspected the construction work on the promenade.