Active cyclists in everyday life

Guidance counsellor Salla Purho from Espoo cycles daily almost throughout the year. ”The good feeling I get from cycling and spending time outdoors. I also get my daily exercise at the same time,” she answers when asked why she pedals. The only obstacle to cycling is rainy weather. 

“I can get to work faster by cycling than on public transport,” she adds to the reasons she likes to cycle. She is also encouraged to cycle to work because her colleagues do it too and her workplace has convenient dressing rooms and showers.  

The daily commute to Viherlaakso is a total of twenty kilometres. Purho cycles for exercise and to get to and from places. She usually cycles roughly five hundred kilometres in the summertime. 

Purho is happy with the cycling conditions in Espoo, which she describes as having diverse terrain. ”Killer cycling opportunities, and plenty of different routes, gravel and asphalt,” she summarises.  

According to Purho, active cyclists in Espoo could be encouraged to pedal by raising awareness of the good signage, routes and cycling opportunities. 

Antti Aarnio, who lives in Espoon keskus, mostly cycles to run errands, such as visits to the library, gym or lunch on a remote working day. Aarnio, who works as a manager in supervision of interests, likes cycling because it is quick and easy. ”I like being outdoors. I don’t consider it exercise, but moving about,” he states.  

“I bike a lot all year round. I'm trying to cycle all shorter distances. I pedal 10 kilometres a day on average. I also cycle the 65 km journey to my summer cabin.”  

“I combine different means of transport and will take my bike with me on a bus, train or metro. In addition to cycling and public transport, I travel by car and walk,” he says, adding to his versatile mobility choices.  

Aarnio likes cycling, but finds much to improve in Espoo's cycling conditions. ”I would describe the conditions as reasonable. There are quite good cycling routes, but they are quite similar to what I was used to in my childhood,” he describes his view of cycling in the city.  

“I would like to see more dedicated bike routes and cycling made a seamless part of urban transport, like in Stockholm or Amsterdam,” Aarnio says of his future visions for urban development. 

Aarnio also participates in promoting sustainable transport as a decision-maker in Espoo. ”I also want to promote sustainable mobility, walking and cycling in my positions of trust. I am a member of the City Planning Committee and a substitute councillor of Espoo City Council.” 

Lari Karreinen from Viherlaakso cycles most of the year. He transports his children on his bike, bikes on his shopping trips and while commuting. He will spend thirty to sixty minutes on his bike daily.  

“In winter, I ride an electric off-road cycle where electricity helps me pedal on an uneven surface and in the snow. In the summer, I use a regular bicycle with gears. I carry shopping mainly in a separate bicycle cart,” Karreinen explains. The family belongs to the 36% of households in Espoo that do not own a car. 

He sees many advantages to cycling: “I can get from one place to another even faster by cycling than on public transport. Convenience and the benefits of physical activity also encourage me. Cycling gives me a good feeling every day.” 

As an entrepreneur and a solution-oriented coach, Karreinen’s workplace also has practices in place to support cycling. “A company bike, a good covered bike rack and shower facilities,” Karreinen explains.  

According to Karreinen, the bicycle routes in Espoo still consist of outdated infrastructure. He hopes that bicycle and pedestrian routes were more clearly marked. ”It would be easier if bicycle and pedestrian routes were separated from each other more clearly. Solutions implemented in Denmark and the Netherlands would make cycling easier and clearer,” he summed up his experiences.  

He has seen some improvement in the cycling signage in Espoo recently. ”Steps have been taken along the metro track, for example. The cycling lane along the coastal railway is also a good example of a more distinct new route.” 

For those who want to start cycling, Karreinen recommends a gradual increase in activity. “An electric bike will also make travel easier,” he says.