Along the waterfront of Espoo

What could be better at this time of the year than enjoying this marvelous weather close to the sea? A perfect opportunity for a walk or a cycling tour along the shore offers Espoo. The Espoo Waterfront Walkway stretches over 40 kilometers from Laajalahti till Saunalahti. The whole way is signposted to always keep you on track. Along the way you pass parks, boat harbors and swimming beaches. And several cafés and restaurants invite cyclists and walkers for a break in between.

Explore new beautiful bays and beaches and breath in the fresh sea air at the waterfront of Espoo.

Rent a kickbike

Sure you can cycle though Helsinki. As you read on HelsinkiIn you can also rent a tandem and cycle in as a team. But there is another possibility – rent a kickbike.

Most people might just remember them from early childhood. But kickbikes are trendy again. And they are fun to use.

If you like to try it come to Narinkka square in front of Kamppi. During the warm summer months there is a pop-up shop where you can get them for 10 € an hour or for 30 € a day.

But not only can you do your own tours. If you like you can attend one of several different guided design tours through the city as part of the World Design Capital. The tours are of course also available in English.

To find out more about kickbiking through Helsinki, check out their website. 

Happy kickbiking!

Helsinki by bike

Helsinki is trying to become more bike-friendly. Creating new bike paths and trying to make cycling saver for cyclist plays an important role for the city planners.

To discuss the topic in public an exhibition was put up on Helsinki by bike. It can be seen at Laituri next to Kamppi shopping center.

At Fiilari people living in the city tell about their experiences cycling in Helsinki. They are quite critical and address several problems the city has to solve. To get more information on the exhibition and on cycling in Helsinki you should also check Fiilari’s Facebook page.

Laituri is open every day except Mondays and the exhibition is free of charge. You can still see it till 04.08.

A bike for everyone

Finland is full of good ideas. Lots of great products have been invented here. Among them is the idea of building a bike that all people could use, no matter what sex, age, size or financial status.

That was the idea of Eero Helkama. Together with the industrial designers Eero Rislakki and Erkki Rahikainen he designed a bike that would fit everyone and started producing it, paying close attention to make it affordable for everyone. This bike was called Jopo (jokaisen polkupyörä = everyone’s bike).

Jopo became a big hit in Finland – and it is till today. Being pretty basic without gears or any fancy extras it is the perfect city bike. Due to its simple design it fits everyone. Jopo is available in various colors and now already produced in the third generation.

Meanwhile the variety of models is much wider and you can also get it with three gears or even with an electro engine. But the basic model is still the most popular. You get it for around 400 €. 

Those bikes are really wanted – unfortunately also by thieves. So don’t forget to lock them properly.

The new shortcut to the center

Right in time for Helsinki’s 200^th anniversary as capital of Finland the new cycling and walking street Baana was opened. It is a shortcut from Ruoholahti to the Main Station in the heart of the center. With a lot of construction work an old ditch could be turned into a way that allows cyclists and pedestrians to get to the center without being bothered by cars.

And the city did its best to make the new connection attractive for people. Along the way you can find sports facilities for skating, table tennis and basketball and you can also always stop at one of the many benches.

Baana is 1,6 km long and makes cycling and walking to and from the center a lot easier, more comfortable and more save.