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. Cycling not only helps you meet your activity goals but also protects the environment. 

By the way, cycling isn't the only sport our staff and students practice. Here’s what else they do to be active:

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.