In Espoo, riding the bicycle is what children and young people do to get to school, their hobbies, and excursions

Early childhood education in Espoo encourages children and young people to be active and live sustainable lives in many ways. Finnish Early Childhood Education has, for example, three electric cargo bikes, called Kiddy Buses, which allow groups in early childhood education to go on environmentally friendly trips.

“These cargo bikes are specially made to carry groups of up to eight children in addition to the educator, who pedals the bicycle. They allow day-care groups to expand their learning environment and make trips to the local area,” says Project Coordinator Tuuli Tepponen from Finnish Early Childhood Education.

Comprehensive schools in Espoo encourage pupils to walk or bike to school. Active, independent school trips support the pupils’ self-esteem, help form social relationships and boost alertness before the morning classes.

Safe school trips are vitally important. We do not recommend that the youngest pupils, especially 1–2nd graders cycle to school. Attention to the environment is essential to avoid danger, and there may be many other exciting things that demand a child’s attention on a new school trip.

Schools encourage older pupils to travel to school on their own, such as on a bicycle. Schools teach traffic regulations and remind pupils to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. Parents have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of the school trip.

Cycling trips to local nature spots during the school day and special cycling events are popular. Schools can borrow bikes to pupils who do not have their own bike, thus ensuring that everyone can participate. Safe cycling lessons are also a part of physical education.

Espoo’s upper secondary schools also promote cycling. Some upper secondary schools have purchased bicycles for students to use, such as to travel to a physical education class or for other physical activity. It is also common to encourage students to engage in practical exercise, which includes riding their bikes to school. Cycling may be a part of teaching, such as the Cykla på Åland study unit in Espoon yhteislyseo upper secondary school, where students go cycling in the Åland Islands for four days. The joint application guide for upper secondary education also includes advice on where to find cycling routes.

The Cycling Week, held every May, features events that celebrate the variety of cycling and equality all around Finland. Many day-care centres and schools in Espoo are actively involved in cycling for the environment and fitness. The aim of the theme week is to boost cycling, encourage people to reflect on their mobility choices, and increase awareness of the benefits of cycling. Cycling is not just physical activity and better fitness – it's also a climate action!

“During the cycling week, early childhood education focuses on cycling education. For example, we let the children practice cycling skills and teach them basic traffic rules,” says Tepponen.

During the week, children can bring their own bike, kick bike or scooter and their helmet to the day-care centre. Children may ride them in day-care centre’s yard or in the immediate area during outdoor activities. Children who don't have wheels of their own bike can borrow a bike or scooter from the day-care centre.

“To support the Cycling Week, we have prepared material for educators, such as cycling games, a traffic sign hunt, and a diploma that we give the children at the end of the week. Learning through play and fun is an effective way to inspire children to move sustainably,” Tepponen points out.

Swedish-speaking Kvis Daghem day-care centre in Olari has celebrated the cycling week for many years. Children could also bring their own wheels to Kvis Daghem, and the day-care also had loaners for its kids. The smallest children got to borrow ride-on scooters.

“We marked a route in the yard for the kids to ride on. It let them practise traffic behaviour and being considerate of each other,” says Jenny Lagerholm, deputy director of the day-care centre.

Kivs daghem has also put together cycling days outside the cycling week, and they are popular among children.

“The kids love cycling days. They are also an excellent way to give confidence to the kids who are a little nervous about cycling. When they see their friends go, they often want to join in,” says Lagerholm with a smile.