Curiosities of Kyiv: Kyiv Cycling track

The Kyiv Velodrome is one of the first sports facilities in Kyiv and the oldest velodrome in Europe. The complex was opened in 1913. The initiator of the construction of the velodrome, known as " cyclodrome " in those times, was a Kyivan Ivan Bilenko, who in 1912 received permission from the Gubernatorial Government to build a velodrome and a wooden pavilion on an undeveloped plot in the area of Afanasievsky Yar.

In March 1913, Bilenko constructed projection booth on the cyclodrome site for open-air film screenings. In addition to that, there was also a bicycle, car, and motorcycle rental and repair service, and later, a summer theater with an orchestra pit was established there. This way, Bilenko organized a unique cultural and sports complex, offering various activities and entertainment options for the visitors.

The velodrome has undergone several major reconstructions. The first significant renovation took place in the post-war period. The outdated asphalt surface, which was also damaged during the war, was replaced with a more modern concrete one. The project developers paid great attention to improving the visibility of the tracks from the spectator stands, especially in the most exciting sections of the track, such as the bends.

In 1968, the concrete surface was renovated and an administrative building was built.  In 1978-80, the Kyiv Velodrome was reconstructed once again to create a reserve track for the Olympic Games in Moscow. During this reconstruction, the velodrome's surface was transformed into a wooden track. It was covered with 200 cubic meters of highly valuable Siberian larch wood, which resulted in the track's speed capabilities increasing up to 85 km per hour. However, after only 10 years, the unique wooden surface became unsuitable for use due to the effects of direct sunlight, atmospheric conditions, cyclical freezing, and thawing processes.



In 1991, a decision was made to launch another round of repair work. The wooden track was removed and replaced with a concrete surface. The concreting of the tracks was carried out using a special type of concrete mixed with polymer additives, following a specific technology to ensure the quality and durability of the new surface.

In the 2000s, the oldest city velodrome faced the threat of demolition. In 2006, the land plot under the velodrome was allocated for construction purposes, and in 2009, the velodrome demolition began due to the construction of a residential building nearby. At that critical moment, the public turned to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, who supported the initiative to restore the velodrome. A significant effort was made to clear the area of the velodrome from construction debris, and after a decade of neglect, the velodrome witnessed its first test rides. This marked the beginning of the restoration process of the deteriorated concrete surface.



The opening of the velodrome was postponed twice due to the athletes' comments about the unevenness of the surface. At the final stage of the reconstruction, the track was covered with a multi-layer sports surface, and after confirming the proper quality, the track was finally opened on 21 May 2017. A large screen was installed above the renovated track to broadcast races and information about the course of the competition. The complex houses a cycling school for children aged 10 and above, offering training in track and road cycling disciplines



In 2016, a mural depicting a cyclist was adorned on the wall of a neighboring building. The artwork was created by the Canadian artist Emmanuel Jarus, who portrayed himself riding a bicycle.



Today, the Kyiv Velodrome is among the top 10 European velodromes and is one of the oldest functioning facilities of its kind in Europe, alongside the velodromes in Erfurt (1885), Herne Hill (1891), and Milan (1935). It preserves a unique original geometric shape, with a track length of 286 meters, a width of 8 meters on the bends, and a maximum incline angle of 38 degrees. The spectator stands can accommodate around 1,000 viewers.

What's interesting is that cyclists always ride the track counterclockwise, as it allows them to focus on their actions rather than the surroundings. According to the Ukrainian Cycling Federation's evaluations, the Kyiv Velodrome is one of the best in Europe and has nurtured several generations of renowned athletes.

You can ride a bike or watch the competitions at the following address: 15 V. Lypynskoho St., Kyiv.