Astana To Spend Billions To Revive Bike Rental System

cover Photo: Orda.kz

Astana’s City Transportation Systems has published a public procurement lot for the purchase of 1,300 bicycles. The total cost exceeds two billion tenge, Orda.kz reports.

According to the procurement documents, one bicycle will cost 1,797,652 tenge. The technical specifications suggest these are not ordinary bikes. The requirements include specific dimensions, built-in handlebar baskets, electricity consumption parameters, and a special screen. This indicates that the city plans to buy smart electric bicycles designed for automated rental stations.

The purchase appears to be part of an attempt to revive public bike rental in Astana. Earlier projects, including Almaty Bike and Astana Bike, were once popular among residents but later fell into decline. Bikes broke down, stations stood empty, and funding was reduced.

In 2024, Orda.kz reported that the Almaty Bike system would be shut down after a year of inactivity.

However, the scale of the new project has raised questions among experts and residents. For a large city like Astana, 1,300 bicycles may be too few to significantly reduce traffic congestion or create a full-fledged alternative to buses and cars.

Original author: Eva Golovintseva

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