ICLEI Member Helsinki (Finland) aims to make the Finnish capital a place in which cycling is suitable for all ages in all seasons with its Bicycle Action Plan 2020-2025: an update of the first city-wide cycling plan released in 2014. In addition, the city has set out to increase cycling’s modal share to at least 20 percent by 2035.
The Action Plan and accompanying programme will focus on improving various aspects of cycling infrastructure, with the most important measure being the quicker implementation of the city’s planned cycling network. This was set out in a document in 2016.
Measures promoting cycling are also necessary, for example those concerning cycling education and mobilising people to get in the saddle.
Five sub-goals have been defined within the strategy:
- To create direct and smooth routes for cycling, with clear junction arrangements and a clear separation of pedestrian and cyclists from other (road) traffic;
- To ensure the rigorous maintenance of bike paths and parking all year round;
- To take cycle traffic into account when planning construction sites;
- To make sure that number of bicycle parking spaces and services meets demand and they are of high quality; and,
- To ensure marketing and communication activities promote a positive image of cycling.
Facilitating cycling also links into Helsinki's goals of being the most functional city in the world, and being carbon neutral by 2035.
This work is being supported and facilitated by Helsinki’s work in the CIVITAS Handshake project.
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