The traditional bike ride has been held twice a year, in May and September, since 2014. This year, the ITMO team started off at the Krestovsky Ostrov metro station, cycled past the Gazprom Arena stadium and the Yakhtenniy Bridge, and took a memorable photo at the Lakhta Center promenade. 

This time, the event coincided with World Bicycle Day, which was established in 2018 and has been marked annually on June 3 ever since. 

By the way, cycling isn't the only sport our staff and students practice.

Arina Konoplina

Second-year student of the Technologies and Innovations Bachelor’s program

I’m currently finishing my first year at ITMO. I passed all my exams, the weather is nice, too, so I decided to join the ride with my groupmates. I do my best to stay healthy: I did pole dancing for ten years and now I’m into ballet; I also ran a 4 km race around the Vyazemsky dorm last fall. I love that ITMO has lots of sports events, including trips to Yagodnoe where you can not only work, study, and rest – but also get close with other members of ITMO Family, students or staff.

Rifat Murtazin

Graduate of the Programming and Internet Technologies Master’s program 

I defended my Master’s thesis yesterday and today, I’m here for the ride. I’m not saying goodbye to ITMO; I’m planning to teach practical classes and do my PhD at the university. I cycle a lot, even join some cycling trips from time to time. I also go on hiking trips in the Caucasus and Ural.

Olga Echevskaya

Head of the Online Pedagogy Lab

I’ve been at ITMO for six years now – but this is my first bike ride. In 2023, I bought a bicycle to join a triathlon (running, cycling, and swimming) in Petrozavodsk. I rarely cycle now; I mostly do running. I’m in ITMO’s running club and run about 30 km each week. I’m here alone today but I saw a lot of people I know at the ride. I enjoy the event’s atmosphere, and I will likely join other bike rides. 

Dmitriy Volkov

Second-year student of the Bioeconomics and Resource Management Master’s program

I’m a soon-to-be graduate and also an engineer at ITMO. I’d never been on the ride before. I cycle every day; that’s my hobby. Usually, I cycle 30 km a day, but my personal record is 80 km. That day, I cycled from my home to Lisy Nos and back. I also love boating.