Geographical prerequisites of organization of bike rest as a variety of active leisure in Kharkiv

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to highlight the opportunities and prospects for development of cycling in Kharkiv based on the analysis of the geographical prerequisites for its development: natural and social resources and projects of bicycle reform. Main material. The article describes theoretical aspects of cycling development as a form of free time activities, including approaches to the interpretation of the concepts of «leisure», «free time», «recreation»; the essence and features of cycling as physical recreation and active leisure, conditions for the development of cycling. The geographic prerequisites for cycling organization in Kharkiv are characterized by a favorable physical-geographical component. Thus, the landscape of the city facilitates the organization of cycling even for unprepared participants due to small differences in altitude. Climatic characteristics make it possible to organize cycling in Kharkiv almost all year round, with the exception of a short off-season. The total area of green plantations in Kharkiv is more than 11,000 hectares, of which the Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure, Lisopark, and the Sarzhyn Yar recreational zone are more suitable for cycling. At the same time, an analysis of the socio-economic prerequisites for the development of cycling in Kharkiv indicates a number of factors impeding its development in the city, in particular, poor quality of roads, absence of bike lanes, cycle lanes, special markings for cyclists on public roads. The current state of cycling tourism development in Kharkiv is characterized by presence of only two bike paths equipped in accordance with all European standards. There are several projects for the development of cycling infrastructure in the city now: the project of the bicycle network in the central part of Kharkiv «Re-cycle Kharkiv»; the project of the cycle path «Another Way»; project «Green network of Kharkiv». Along with this, the information support for the development of cycling in Kharkiv is insufficient. Conclusions and further research. The urban environment of Kharkiv is favorable for the development of cycling for many reasons. The most favorable season is the period from March to November, along slightly rugged terrain (almost the entire territory of the city, with the exception of certain areas), better through forests (Lisopark, Grigorovskyi bir) or along rivers. Cycle paths according to European standards are laid only in the Lisopark’s area and Sarzhyn Yar, which is insufficient. The problematic issues hindering the development of cycling tourism in Kharkiv include: insufficient network of bike paths, concentration of the existing network in the Shevchenko district, while in other Kharkiv districts these opportunities are significantly limited, poor development of the bicycle infrastructure system, lack of comprehensive information support. The prospective direction is the development of the Kharkiv Green Network project, which provides laying bike paths not along highways, but at a certain distance from them with the involvement of green zones, abandoned territories, provided they will be well-equipped. In this case, the opportunities and prospects for the development of cycling will be determined, meeting the main theoretical basics of physical recreation and leisure. To improve the information support of cycling tourism, it is recommended to create a specialized bike site with the following sections: accessibility; specifications; safety; cycling infrastructure; memos - with multimedia content for each, including cartographic materials.