How to start biking in Finland?
Spring’s here, and it’s the perfect time to hop on a bike! 🚴♀️ Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or just soaking up the sun, cycling is a fun, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly way to get around. And lucky for us, Finland is built for it: great bike lanes, separate traffic lights for cyclists, winter maintenance, and loads of parking.
Here’s your no-stress guide to getting started without spending a fortune👇
🚲 Where to buy a bike:
A new bike can easily cost €500+, but there are plenty of second-hand options out there:
Tori.fi — Finland’s biggest online marketplace → https://www.tori.fi
Facebook Marketplace — search locally for deals → https://www.facebook.com/marketplace
Bicyclean Helsinki — verified used bikes with a warranty → https://bicycleanhelsinki.com/en/product-category/bicycles/used-bikes
Roll Outdoors — used mountain and fatbikes → https://rolloutdoors.com/en/used-mountain-bikes
Kierrätyskeskus — recycling centers with affordable bikes → https://www.kierratyskeskus.fi/en
💡 Before you buy: check the brakes, gears, lights, bell, and ask about the last service. A well-maintained bike is always a better deal.
Tori.fi — Finland’s biggest online marketplace → https://www.tori.fi
Facebook Marketplace — search locally for deals → https://www.facebook.com/marketplace
Bicyclean Helsinki — verified used bikes with a warranty → https://bicycleanhelsinki.com/en/product-category/bicycles/used-bikes
Roll Outdoors — used mountain and fatbikes → https://rolloutdoors.com/en/used-mountain-bikes
Kierrätyskeskus — recycling centers with affordable bikes → https://www.kierratyskeskus.fi/en
💡 Before you buy: check the brakes, gears, lights, bell, and ask about the last service. A well-maintained bike is always a better deal.
🚲 Want to try before you buy? Rent a city bike!
Perfect for short trips — and very budget-friendly:
Helsinki & Espoo (Alepa Fillari) → https://www.hsl.fi/en/citybikes/helsinki
Vantaa City Bikes (separate system) → https://www.hsl.fi/en/citybikes/vantaa
Tampere (NysseFillari) → https://www.nysse.fi/en/tickets-and-fares.html
💡 Tip: the first 30 minutes are usually free. You can swap bikes and keep riding without extra fees.
Helsinki & Espoo (Alepa Fillari) → https://www.hsl.fi/en/citybikes/helsinki
Vantaa City Bikes (separate system) → https://www.hsl.fi/en/citybikes/vantaa
Tampere (NysseFillari) → https://www.nysse.fi/en/tickets-and-fares.html
💡 Tip: the first 30 minutes are usually free. You can swap bikes and keep riding without extra fees.
🚲 Should you wear a helmet?
It’s not legally required in Finland, but highly recommended. You can find helmets from €20 at places like Prisma, Motonet, and XXL.
🚲 What your bike needs to have:
→ White or yellow front light
→ Red rear light
→ Reflectors (front, back, sides)
→ A bell
→ Working brakes
⚠️ Riding in the dark without lights? Police can fine you €40 → https://poliisi.fi/en/-/a-summary-penal-fee-may-be-issued-to-cyclists-with-no-lights
→ Red rear light
→ Reflectors (front, back, sides)
→ A bell
→ Working brakes
⚠️ Riding in the dark without lights? Police can fine you €40 → https://poliisi.fi/en/-/a-summary-penal-fee-may-be-issued-to-cyclists-with-no-lights
🚲 Useful extras:
→ A solid lock (U-lock recommended)
→ Mini pump & patch kit
→ Apps: HSL, OmaFillari, Google Maps
→ Phone holder for handlebars (for ex. https://www.verkkokauppa.com/fi/catalog/puhelintelineet-pyoraan)
→ Mini pump & patch kit
→ Apps: HSL, OmaFillari, Google Maps
→ Phone holder for handlebars (for ex. https://www.verkkokauppa.com/fi/catalog/puhelintelineet-pyoraan)
🚲 Repairs & DIY stations
Look out for free self-service bike stations, often near bike lanes and shopping centers. They’ve got basic tools and pumps.
For professional help, search “Pyörähuolto” (bike repair). A few examples:
→ XXL Bike Service → https://www.xxl.fi/vinkit-ja-neuvot/gc/huolto/pyoraily/xxl-pyorahuolto
→ Kivenlahden Pyörähuolto → https://www.kivenlahdenpyorahuolto.fi/
→ Helsingin Pyörähuolto → https://www.helsinginpyorahuolto.fi/
For professional help, search “Pyörähuolto” (bike repair). A few examples:
→ XXL Bike Service → https://www.xxl.fi/vinkit-ja-neuvot/gc/huolto/pyoraily/xxl-pyorahuolto
→ Kivenlahden Pyörähuolto → https://www.kivenlahdenpyorahuolto.fi/
→ Helsingin Pyörähuolto → https://www.helsinginpyorahuolto.fi/
🚲 Accessories
Prisma → https://www.prisma.fi
Motonet → https://www.motonet.fi
Biltema → https://www.biltema.fi
XXL → https://www.xxl.fi
Motonet → https://www.motonet.fi
Biltema → https://www.biltema.fi
XXL → https://www.xxl.fi
