Would you exchange your car for a bike for the sake of the state budget?

Cars are crowding the large cities and negatively affect drivers’ sanity. The day is coming soon when the majority of drivers will be riding bicycles instead. Riding a bike to work is quite normal in Europe, but Kyrgyzstan seems to be far from it. And it is not a coincidence that we speak about it in the midst of the world financial crisis as bicycling saves money on fuel and expensive spares. Our survey shows that bicycling is becoming more popular but unfortunately not in Kyrgyzstan…

Igor Chudinov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan:

Why not a horse then? I do not support such type of money saving. Every country needs effective governing and a state official should be supplied with all necessary means. Can you imagine me bicycling through the Chui region? I will need several days to look over its western or eastern parts.

Modern times require dynamic work and decisions-making. That is why to my mind, extremes are unsuitable here. Speaking of money saving, I must say that we have reduced the ministries’ budget by two million soms in 2008.

I am not a supporter of such populist methods. Prime Ministers of the developed countries, such as Sweden for example, actually can bicycle to work but they have planes and helicopters at their disposal and can use them whenever they need it.

Talant Kojonov, chief of the Supervisory Administration on Corruption Punishment Execution under the Kyrgyz Prosecutor General’s Office:

I would bicycle around with pleasure if only the bicycle lanes were made. Unfortunately, roads in our country are in terrible condition so we need to drive appropriate transport with a view of security. State officials and ordinary citizens of many countries ride bicycles in order not to harm their environment.

Gulnura Abytalieva, assistant of USAID Community Connections project:

No, I would not. It is very uncomfortable to cycle with a heavy load, plus our roads are so frustrating to drive on. However, even if the roads are repaired, I would better spend money on a modern car!

Baktybek Beshimov, Member of Parliament:

I do ride a bicycle but not for saving the state money. I just enjoy it. Frequent bicycle tours are always good for me. But as my life is threatened now, I can not allow myself to bicycle around. If Kyrgyzstan had cycle lanes, a lot of people will gladly switch to this comfortable transport. I often ride a bicycle, when abroad.

Nina Valieva, director of the State Information Resources and Technologies Agency under the Kyrgyz government:

I drive my own car. Even if I used the official transport I would not change it for a bicycle. There are a lot of reasons: high position, high heels and a skirt. I think that bicycling requires certain conditions: perfect roads, fair weather and most importantly patience. Although Bishkek is not a large city, one can easily walk from one end of it to another.

Arzymat Havazov, Ecobank employee:

I think if somebody has finances it is better to give up on bicycle. This kind of transport does not allow taking extra baggage or a passenger. Though a car needs definite costs but it justifies the means.