How to start biking in Finland?

2025-05-12 14:42 Adaptation

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.

🚲 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.

🚲 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

🚲 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)

🚲 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/

🚲 Accessories

Prisma → https://www.prisma.fi

Motonet → https://www.motonet.fi

Biltema → https://www.biltema.fi

XXL → https://www.xxl.fi