DUSHANBE, September 6, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The “Youth – XXI Century” public association will hold a cycle marathon in Dushanbe on September 17.

The main objective of the event that is expected to involve 150-200 people aged 18 and over is in popularizing cycle transportation in Tajikistan.

Umed Ulughov, environmental program coordinator, “Youth – XXI Century,” says the bike race is aimed to involve the adult population in cycling.

The cycle marathon is held under support of the Cycle Racing Federation of Tajikistan and the project participants also include UNDP CO Tajikistan and MegaFon-Tajikistan, Ulughov said, noting that the Dushanbe mayor’s office will provide technical support to the bike race.

According to him, Dushanbe’s streets are currently not bike-friendly enough and a 5-kilometer bike path will be built in Dushanbe in the near future.  Besides, all the future Dushanbe road rehabilitation projects will be worked out with taking into consideration the cycle lanes, Ulughov added.