Today we have a very interesting interview. It seems to me as if it was yesterday, only yesterday OUR Sveta came into my field of vision, and in Velo Gomel. But today it is hard to imagine Velo Gomel without Svetlana. How many took place this year thanks to her initiative, new ideas and projects appeared that were just as well implemented. I think it was with the arrival of this person that Velo Gomel again became interesting for everyone, as it was before, and not only “sports”, as many believed.
Today we have a very interesting interview. It seems to me as if it was yesterday, only yesterday OUR Light came into my field of vision, and in Velo Gomel... But today it's hard to imagine Velo Gomel without Svetlana... How many took place this year thanks to her initiative, new ideas and projects appeared that were just as well implemented. I think it was with the arrival of this person that Velo Gomel again became interesting for everyone, as it was before, and not only “sports”, as many believed.
- How and when did the cycle life begin?
- Quite in early childhood, I rode a tricycle in turn with my younger sister ... I hardly remember how it was. Neither in my school years, nor in my youth, nor in my adult life did I have a bicycle, I did not feel the need for it.
Later, being already a mother, overcoming the Soviet deficit of everything, they acquired a folding Stork through a friend of acquaintances for their daughter. But it never entered my head to try it myself ...
And only much later, after 50 years, when my adult son decided to change his "old" three-year-old Fuji housekeeper for another, I decided to try to go to the store in the village. No one taught me, no one ran after me, did not push or insure me: I sat down and drove off. Oh, how I liked it ... from the very first time! This is how my cycling life began in the summer of 2016.
- Quite in early childhood, I rode a tricycle in turn with my younger sister ... I hardly remember how it was. Neither in my school years, nor in my youth, nor in my adult life did I have a bicycle, I did not feel the need for it.
Later, being already a mother, overcoming the Soviet deficit of everything, they acquired a folding Stork through a friend of acquaintances for their daughter. But it never entered my head to try it myself ...
And only much later, after 50 years, when my adult son decided to change his "old" three-year-old Fuji housekeeper for another, I decided to try to go to the store in the village. No one taught me, no one ran after me, did not push or insure me: I sat down and drove off. Oh, how I liked it ... from the very first time! This is how my cycling life began in the summer of 2016.
- Where did you skate for the first time and how do the first rides differ from the current ones?
- Thanks to one of the stages of the OKGO, cyclists know my first route well. My husband and I have a house in the village of Rudnya-Marimonova. First, to one village, then to the bridge, then to the woods ... I gradually increased every day and by the end of last summer I went three times a day to Tsykuny and back. The traffic there is small, for the first experience what you need. In the fall I returned to the city and started driving around the city ... this is a completely different ride. Curbs, pedestrians, pillars on the sidewalks - how I was afraid of all this! Every time, leaving the house for the next ride, I was worried and trembled with fear ... but this is a secret, do not tell anyone.
- Thanks to one of the stages of the OKGO, cyclists know my first route well. My husband and I have a house in the village of Rudnya-Marimonova. First, to one village, then to the bridge, then to the woods ... I gradually increased every day and by the end of last summer I went three times a day to Tsykuny and back. The traffic there is small, for the first experience what you need. In the fall I returned to the city and started driving around the city ... this is a completely different ride. Curbs, pedestrians, pillars on the sidewalks - how I was afraid of all this! Every time, leaving the house for the next ride, I was worried and trembled with fear ... but this is a secret, do not tell anyone.
Now I already know that the curbs need to be taken at a right angle, it is better to give a signal to pedestrians by voice, and make eye contact with the drivers. I am not afraid to ride around Gomel, but I feel excitement only from the anticipation of the pleasure I get when riding a bicycle.
- How did you find out about VeloGomel?
- I learned from Liza Volosenko, may the days of this beautiful girl last! In the fall of 2016, we began to communicate with her and, upon closer acquaintance, discovered, among other common interests, an interest in the cycling theme. With her suggestion, I joined all the cycling groups of Gomel on VKontakte and began to observe. I saw photos of runs, pokatushek, began to dream about how I could join this progressive movement. I remember the spring bike ride in great detail. It’s so strange to remember now that I didn’t know anyone then… I was a stranger’s aunt at this holiday. But this day changed a lot in my life! He is the beginning of a new me.
- I learned from Liza Volosenko, may the days of this beautiful girl last! In the fall of 2016, we began to communicate with her and, upon closer acquaintance, discovered, among other common interests, an interest in the cycling theme. With her suggestion, I joined all the cycling groups of Gomel on VKontakte and began to observe. I saw photos of runs, pokatushek, began to dream about how I could join this progressive movement. I remember the spring bike ride in great detail. It’s so strange to remember now that I didn’t know anyone then… I was a stranger’s aunt at this holiday. But this day changed a lot in my life! He is the beginning of a new me.
Then there was a trip to a bicycle carnival in Minsk, also still offline, without VeloGomel. Then to Vetka, with Sasha Kartsev ... I liked it very much, thanks to Sasha for bringing me.
A trip to Sharpilovka is my personal adventure. I can't imagine how I could decide on it .. My family was shocked when I informed about this voyage! One hundred kilometers in one day ... anchored on the guys in the opposite direction. Thank you for not getting angry, but supporting me in every possible way, stopping to drink some water, then smoke .. giving
the opportunity to take a breath. And your support, Dmitry, after arriving home, really encouraged me. The cyclists are very reliable and great guys. I love all of you! Now VeloGomel is an integral part of my life.
the opportunity to take a breath. And your support, Dmitry, after arriving home, really encouraged me. The cyclists are very reliable and great guys. I love all of you! Now VeloGomel is an integral part of my life.
- When you saw my post about the idea of organizing a family cycling leisure, did you immediately decide or thoughtful?
- The fact is, Dima, that the idea of a family project was already in my head and in the winter I discussed it repeatedly with the same Liza Volosenko. Then I already imagined that these would be thematic trips in a playful way. I just didn't know where to go and how to ensure the safety of travel. When I saw the poll in VeloGomel, I immediately contacted you on the same day, as you remember. On the third of June we met personally with the famous Dmitry Trusov, I told my vision, and on the tenth we went to the first Pirate ride to Volod'kino lake.
- The fact is, Dima, that the idea of a family project was already in my head and in the winter I discussed it repeatedly with the same Liza Volosenko. Then I already imagined that these would be thematic trips in a playful way. I just didn't know where to go and how to ensure the safety of travel. When I saw the poll in VeloGomel, I immediately contacted you on the same day, as you remember. On the third of June we met personally with the famous Dmitry Trusov, I told my vision, and on the tenth we went to the first Pirate ride to Volod'kino lake.
I am very grateful to you personally, Dima, that you believed me and allowed me to work on this project within the framework of VeloGomel. The project participants, volunteers are all bicycles, without them nothing would have happened. The project took place, it is successful and will be continued in the new season under the leadership of the beautiful, active cyclist and lovely mother, Yulia Kopichenko. By the way, we shared the secrets of organizing the Velosemy at the PraRovar forum in Minsk, because such a project is the only one so far in Belarus. Perhaps someone will be inspired by our success and organize something similar in their city.
- We are launching a new round of VeloGomel, what are your expectations in the future?
- Firstly, I would like to explain to the citizens of cycling, what do you mean when you say “a new round”.
- Firstly, I would like to explain to the citizens of cycling, what do you mean when you say “a new round”.
Having got acquainted with a large number of cyclists and cyclists in Gomel during several large events, I saw that the potential for cycling in Gomel is great: there are organizers, volunteers, and participants in the events. We are known at the level of the city executive authority, they reckon with us. But in order to become a real partner in promoting the issues of urban cycling, being just a VKontakte group is not enough. We need to get on the "legal track", I would say so. The same proposal was voiced repeatedly here, in comments and polls, from the cyclists themselves. A group of the most active cycling residents in the amount of 14 people, it was decided to establish the Public Association "VeloGomel". The package of documents required for registration is under consideration by the relevant commission. We are waiting for an official reply. This is the very "new round" that Dmitry said. We will tell you more about this, friends, immediately after registration.
I will just say that our goal is to promote the development of cycling in Gomel and the region through the organization and conduct of cycling holidays and actions. In addition, we plan to develop cycling routes, volunteer educational projects, monitor infrastructure and seek a dialogue with traffic organizers. We look forward to participating in our large and progressive movement as many cyclists as possible, we know about all the activists, we get interesting ideas and this inspires us for further work. Further plans and expectations are connected with this, as you put it.
- Svetlana, do you have a favorite cycling route around the city, outside the city, is our city convenient for cycling, in your opinion?
- My favorite suburban route is the road to Rudnya – Marimonova. I like driving along the highway, I make a couple of stops to admire the nature and listen to birdsong. In the city I like to go to the embankment, then along Sovetskaya - Efremov - Bogdanov - Tsarikov to return home. Riding a bicycle in Gomel is not easy. Sidewalks are in poor, to put it mildly, condition, I learned to overcome curbs, but they really interfere. Large cycle traffic on sidewalks provokes conflicts with pedestrians. I very much sympathize with Gomel pedestrians, because the presence of cyclists on the sidewalks, the lack of appropriate markings makes pedestrian walks unsafe. I hope that the traffic organizers understand that the number of cyclists will only increase and it is simply irresponsible to ignore the existing problem!
- My favorite suburban route is the road to Rudnya – Marimonova. I like driving along the highway, I make a couple of stops to admire the nature and listen to birdsong. In the city I like to go to the embankment, then along Sovetskaya - Efremov - Bogdanov - Tsarikov to return home. Riding a bicycle in Gomel is not easy. Sidewalks are in poor, to put it mildly, condition, I learned to overcome curbs, but they really interfere. Large cycle traffic on sidewalks provokes conflicts with pedestrians. I very much sympathize with Gomel pedestrians, because the presence of cyclists on the sidewalks, the lack of appropriate markings makes pedestrian walks unsafe. I hope that the traffic organizers understand that the number of cyclists will only increase and it is simply irresponsible to ignore the existing problem!
I drive on sidewalks at a speed of no more than 15 km, I smile at people and they smile at me in return. I believe that this behavior is a kind of popularization of the bicycle as a very convenient and fashionable means of transportation. I myself have literally rode a minibus a couple of times in a year - only a bicycle!
- Do you have a cherished dream related to a bicycle, and what is your life motto?
- I have two dreams related to the bicycle. The first is to visit the cycling paradise of the Netherlands and Denmark. I am sure that my own wonderful children and, by the way, cyclists will help in making this dream come true. The second dream is more difficult - I want to learn to ride a bike without holding the wheel. Cyril will return from the army and teach, he promised!
- I have two dreams related to the bicycle. The first is to visit the cycling paradise of the Netherlands and Denmark. I am sure that my own wonderful children and, by the way, cyclists will help in making this dream come true. The second dream is more difficult - I want to learn to ride a bike without holding the wheel. Cyril will return from the army and teach, he promised!
My motto goes like this: The best version of itself, which is translated into Russian:
Be the best version of yourself!
#VNews #Velogomel #Bicycle interview
Interviewed by Dmitry Trusov, VeloGomel
The activities of the Minsk Cycling Society are supported by the European Union within the framework of the project “Urban Cycling in Belarus”.
