Now in Lviv you can wash your bicycle without getting your hands dirty and in just two minutes. This option is offered by the OKKO filling station complex at 2a Naukova Street. The city's first specialized bicycle wash opened here in May, and already on May 20, on the eve of the All-Ukrainian Bike Day, its convenience and functionality were tested by members of the Lviv Association of Cyclists.
The gas station on Naukova is located near a busy intersection at the city exit, so the new service from OKKO will be especially useful for those returning from out-of-town bike trips. A bike path leads to the station, and a separate parking area for two-wheelers is provided on the complex's territory. The wash is equipped with a special device that securely holds the bike during the procedure. The station staff have been trained to properly work with this new category of visitors. Cyclists who tested the wash were satisfied with the level of service.
“It is very pleasant that more and more additional services for bicycle owners are appearing in Lviv, and it is becoming more convenient to use a bicycle,” comments Orest Oleskiv from the Lviv Association of Cyclists. “The bike wash noticeably simplifies life; it is fast, convenient, and inexpensive. I would like to see a similar option at other washes in the city.”
The OKKO network has been supporting the development of cycling in Ukraine for many years. Currently, the company is considering installing bike washes and bike parking at several more of its stations. In addition, this year OKKO helped the Lviv city administration complete the marking of city bike paths. As part of the large-scale social project “I beg you, live! Road Safety,” the network actively interacts with all road users, calling on them to be responsible. One of the main target audiences of the project is precisely cyclists. Informational materials and sets of reflectors have been prepared for them, making cyclists visible on the road in the dark.
“Lviv has indeed come closer to the number of European cycling cities, which are characterized not only by a developed network of bike paths but also by other related infrastructure,” notes Oleh Shmid, a deputy of the Lviv City Council and advisor to the mayor on cycling infrastructure. “Bicycle hygiene is an important component of this process. Who among us has not been caught on the road by bad weather, after which there was no opportunity to wash the bike? The OKKO network has done a useful thing and set a good example. Now, I hope, bike washes will appear in all districts of Lviv.”
