Cycling in Helsinki

Cyclists riding along Baana dedicated bike lanes

More than half of Helsinki residents cycle weekly

Helsinki has over 1,500 kilometres of well-maintained cycling paths. Bicycling is a very sustainable mode of transport. It keeps traffic under control, reduces harmful emissions and brings many social and health benefits.

Helsinki Bicycle Account 2023

Bicycle routes

Cycling in Helsinki is growing more and more popular. A majority of Helsinki residents say they use their bikes weekly year-round, primarily because they are an easy way to get around.

If you are looking for great cycling routes in the city, the MyHelsinki website is a great place to start. It has several articles on the subject, starting with this one on three popular routes. Another features a nice selection of cycling routes in Helsinki’s Central Park, a verdant forest that runs the length of the city. My Helsinki has also collected information on bike shops in Helsinki for all of the city’s avid cyclists.

Last but not least, cyclists can use the HSL Journey Planner to map out the ideal bike route for their commute or leisure time. Simply adjust the settings to indicate a bike as your mode of transport. To learn more about HSL, see our section on Public transport.

What are the rules for biking in Helsinki?

Can I bicycle on the sidewalk? Do I need a light? Do I need two different kinds of lights? The My Helsinki website has put together a great list of tips for cycling in Finland’s capital. Finns take these rules seriously, so it’s a good idea to follow them to the letter.

Tips for cycling in Helsinki

City bikes

Cycling in Helsinki is easy even if you don’t own a bike! Since 2016, Helsinki has had a city bike service for residents and visitors to the city. This convenient bike sharing option is available between April and October. Simply buy a daily, weekly, or season pass and collect a bicycle from the bike station nearest you any time you need it. When you are done, you can return the bike to any station. 

A day pass costs EUR 5, a pass for a week costs EUR 10, and a season pass costs just EUR 35 – a very inexpensive price for the use of a bike for seven months! All passes allow for unlimited rides of up to 60 minutes.  

Helsinki City Transport also runs the centrally located Helsinki Bike Centre, which is open from May to September. The Helsinki Bike Centre provides emergency bicycle repair, tyre pumping, supervised parking for bicycles, and advice and information on cycling and bicycle repair for everyone in the city.

Year-round cycling

Helsinki is stepping up its winter maintenance of 150 kilometres of bike paths, in order to encourage winter cycling. Currently, 12 per cent of the city’s adult residents do so. We encourage you to give it a try!