A scientist from KSTU published a cycling guide for Kaliningrad and the region

A chemistry lecturer from KSTU is not only a keen experimenter with amber but also an enthusiast of urban cycling. A.G. Bulychev has published a guidebook to cycling routes in Kaliningrad and the regional area. AST, Russia’s largest publishing house, issued the guide as part of a series of guidebooks on Russian cities for cycling and scooter trips.

The book Kaliningrad and the Region. Bike and Scooter Travel Guide comprises six routes through Kaliningrad and along the Baltic coast. Alexander Grigorievich invites his readers to cycle through the historic districts of Amalienau and Hufen, see the fortifications of Königsberg, ride through the city centre and its parks, and go on a cycle ride around Svetlogorsk.

The book describes over 150 locations — from the old villas of Amalienau and Central Park to Prussian forts, city embankments and historic streets. The routes are designed to start and end in the centre of Kaliningrad, making them easy to follow independently. The author has gathered stories about the districts from historical sources, as well as from the stories of local residents and his own memories.

Each route has its own colour and image. For example, the pink route is dedicated to the romance of southern Amalienau and the district’s old villas, while the red route runs alongside 19th-century Prussian brick fortifications.

According to the author, the book grew out of a long-standing passion for cycling around his hometown.

“Kaliningrad is my hometown. I’ve been exploring it by bike since childhood. The bicycle is a unique key to the past and present of Königsberg-Kaliningrad. Through these cycle routes, you can feel the atmosphere of the city’s streets, parks and historic districts,” says Alexander Bulychev.

The guide is designed for both Kaliningrad residents and tourists. The author notes that a bicycle allows you to see the city in a different light — to venture into the courtyards of old neighbourhoods, parks and streets that are rarely visited by standard guided tours.

The development of cycle tourism in the region makes such guidebooks particularly relevant. Kaliningrad is considered one of the most cycle-friendly cities in Russia: according to a study by the TourStat portal, it was among the top ten cities in Russia and the CIS for cycling.

The city's master plan also provides for the development of a bicycle network —up to 160 kilometres of cycle paths by 2035, which is one of the most ambitious programmes for the development of cycling infrastructure in Russia.

According to the author, the book is available in bookshops and online.