13.6.2025

Pyöräilyinfo

Cycling is for all -series, PART 2

THOUGHTS ON CYCLING IN VANTAA

Next we interviewed Mikko, an engineer from Vantaa who loves to cycle. Mikko came to Cycling Week’s event, Breakfast for Cyclists, in Vantaa’s Myyrmäki to see what was going on. For Mikko, cycling is the main mode of transport he likes to use. His family also owns a car, and public transport is part of their repertoire as well.

Cycling has always been a pleasant mode of transport and exercise for Mikko. He has taken part in races and occasionally follows cycling sports. “For me, it’s inspiring in every way, both as a mode of transport, as an exercise and a sport,” Mikko tells us.

CYCLING IS BOTH TRAFFIC AND EXERCISE

“From Myyrmäki, it’s easy to go to all four directions,” says Mikko. When cycling towards Pähkinärinne, there is a new Pellaksenpuisto park and Luhtitie, where the cycleways have been well done. When thinking of cycling as transport, Mikko thinks comfort and smoothness are important. For example, signage for routes creates the impression that consideration has been given to the smoothness of cyclist travel.

Mikko separates cycling as an exercise and as transport. When cycling as exercise, the scenery and terrain matter. Especially some routes in Petikko are enjoyable by mountain bike, when exercising. During summer, in Riipiläntie, in northern West Vantaa there are beautiful blooming shoulders and countryside scenery. “It’s absolutely lovely,” Mikko says.

Mikko also appreciates the route between Vantaa and Espoo. The route from Myyrmäki until Otaniemi, which goes next to Ring Road I, is convenient from Mikko’s point of view. “Also the Espoo’s Waterfront rantareitti gives the possibility for cycling next to beautiful scenery and in nature,” Mikko says about the route connecting the cities.

IT’S ALL ABOUT HEALTH AND COMFORT

Mikko says that he sees many people like him on bike paths. He says there is plenty of international population in Vantaa and that they are underrepresented on cycleways. It would be important to get them cycling too.

When it comes to cycling, Mikko gives value to the comfort and health perspectives. Cycling makes sense from a time management perspective too. For instance, when cycling from Myyrmäki to Tikkurila in East Vantaa it takes almost the same amount of time than it would take when taking the train.

Being an active cyclist himself, Mikko encourages others to give cycling a try, at least for the sake of new experiences. He describes cycling as something comfortable and a mode of mobility that allows freedom.

When talking about cycling in Vantaa, Mikko admits the holes and high curbs can be frustrating, or when the paths are not straightforward. Then it is good to have a mountain bike, which can make cycling smoother. All in all, cycling in Vantaa is convenient and there is the possibility for feedback. “Give feedback through Oma Vantaa’s feedback system. I know all the feedback is read. What can be done depends on the case, of course,” Mikko advises his fellow citizens of Vantaa. A well-working cycling city is built together.

Through the feedback system on the City of Vantaa’s website, people living in Vantaa can give feedback to the city on various topics.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH HELSINKI REGION CYCLISTS – ALSO KNOWN AS HEPO?

We are a community and advocate for cyclists in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Our goal is to improve the conditions for cycling and make the Helsinki Metropolitan Area a more pleasant, safer and smoother place to live and move around.

Helsinki Region Cyclists, aka Hepo, is an NGO focused on promoting cycling. Hepo has more than 1,500 members. Our goal is to influence law-making and traffic planning both on the local and national level. Hepo is not a political actor and is politically independent. In addition to influencing, bike travels have been an integral part of Hepo’s activities from the start and continue to be so.

By becoming a member you get access to member discounts and other offers for you and your bike. The annual member fee is 32 € and it pays back in no time. If you feel like making a difference in cycling conditions, you are welcome to join Hepo – in our activities or as a member. You get our member newsletter to your email once a month, member discounts from our partners – and you keep on track about cycling-related news and events.

By joining Finnish Cyclists’ Federation or any of its member organisations before September 28th, 2025 at 11.59pm, you have a chance to win Helkama’s electric bike (value approx. 2,800 €). Join Hepo now!

You can also take part in the draw by filling the Google Forms document.

Rules for the draw can be found on Finnish Cyclists’ Federation’s website.