Paradox of Finland more snow, more cycling! V Winter Cycling Congress, Montreal Wednesday 8th of February 2017 Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities Matti Hirvonen Executive Director matti.hirvonen@poljin.fi www.poljin.fi tel. +358 40 419 4555 Photo: Martti Tulenheimo
Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities Founded 1997 Registered association since 2005 Over 100 membership organizations 73 municipalities About 3,7 million inhabitants We want Double cycling in Finland High quality and safe cycling infrastructure for all Strengthen the community of cyclists and cycling advocacy
More than 100 membership organizations! 73 MUNICIPALITIES Akaa Mäntyharju Espoo Mynämäki Forssa Nivala Haapajärvi Nokia Hanko Nurmijärvi Heinola Orivesi Helsinki Oulu Hyvinkää Padasjoki Hämeenlinna Parainen Iisalmi Perho Imatra Pietarsaari Janakkala Pirkkala Joensuu Pori Jyväskylä Porvoo Järvenpää Puumala Kaarina Pälkäne Kajaani Raasepori Kangasala Raisio Karvia Rauma Kauniainen Riihimäki Kaustinen Salo Kemiönsaari Seinäjoki Kempele Sipoo Kokkola Siuntio Kouvola Tampere Kruunupyy Turku Lahti Tuusula Lappeenranta Utajärvi Lempäälä Uusikaupunki Lieksa Vaasa Lieto Valkeakoski Lohja Vantaa Loppi Vöyri Loviisa Ylöjärvi Masku Ähtäri Mänttä-Vilppula Äänekoski 9 ELY-CENTERS Lappi Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Etelä-Pohjanmaa Keski-Suomi Pirkanmaa Pohjois-Savo Kaakkois-Suomi Varsinais-Suomi Uusimaa 13 COMPANIES InlineMarket Lehtovuori Linea Konsultit MDI Navico Ovella Systems Ramboll Finland SITO Strafica Sweco Ympäristö Trafix Valpastin WSP Finland 7 NGO s Helsingin Polkupyöräilijät Jyväskylän Pyöräilyseura JYPS Pyöräliitto Suomen luonnonsuojeluliitto Suomen Pyöräilyunioni Tampereen Polkupyöräilijät Turun Polkupyöräilijät 2 CITY REGIONS Helsinki Region Transport Tampere City Region 1 RESEARCH CENTER TTY / Liikenteen tutkimuskeskus Verne
Background about cycling in Finland National modal share of cycling is 8,3 % Top cities 19-21 % Best cycling cities are best winter cycling cities as well (like Oulu and Joensuu) A Finn bikes average 274 km/year and 0,75 km/day Average cycling trip in Finland is 3,7 km long In a average day 10 % of Finns cycle at least one journey Cycling takes place almost equally in different type of areas 1/3 inner urban areas, 1/3 outer urban areas, 1/3 rural areas close to urban areas, local centers in rural areas and rural areas Health benefits for society is 1, 072 billion / year According the HEAT-for Cycling tool (WHO) Sources: http://www2.liikennevirasto.fi/julkaisut/pdf8/lts_2015-32_pyorailyanalyysi_henkiloliikennetutkimuksen_web.pdf http://www.kkiohjelma.fi/filebank/1771-heat_kayttajan_opas_2014_paivitys.pdf
Background about cycling in Finland National goal is to increase cycling Many municipalities are more ambitious than state Cycling is increasing in every city, which is developing cycling many-sided Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Tampere, Joensuu, Lappeenranta, Kokkola, Jyväskylä, Lahti etc. Cycling promotion is profitable investment In City of Helsinki 1 for high quality cycle paths returns 8 benefits Political will is rising, still not enough Quality of the cycling infrastructure is low Successful cycling promotion in Finland is not possible without focusing strongly on cycling in winter Winter drop off is dramatic, but also paradoxical Sources: http://www2.liikennevirasto.fi/julkaisut/pdf8/lts_2015-32_pyorailyanalyysi_henkiloliikennetutkimuksen_web.pdf http://www.kkiohjelma.fi/filebank/1771-heat_kayttajan_opas_2014_paivitys.pdf
National targets as a background for cycling promotion in municipalities National strategy of Cycling and Walking 2020 National Action Plan of Walking and Cycling 2020 -> going to be updated in 2017? Energy and Climate Strategy of Government: 30 % more walking and cycling trips to 2030 -> published 12/2016, strongest and most relevant political strategy at the moment - > result of active lobbying of cycling organizations - > measures to be define, great chance for cycling advocacy right now!
Cycling Master plans in municipalities Jyväskylä Cycling Master plan 2025 Helsinki Cycling Master plan 2020 Tampere City Region Master plan of Walking and Cycling 2030 Kangasala Right to Walk and Cycle program 2020 Utajärvi to Quality Municipality of Cycling 2015 2020 Kokkola Cycling City program 2020 Now Target Kokkola 15 % (2013) 20 % (2020) Lahti 13 % (2010) 26 % (2017) Vantaa 8 % (2011) 15 % (2020) Helsinki 6 % (2011) 15 % (2020) Espoo 7 % (2011) 15 % (2024) Cycling modal share target in different cities
Paradox of Finland More snow, more cycling?
The depth of snow (average in March, during 1981-2010) The number of snow days (average in March, during 1981-2010) City Modal share of cycling Turku 8 % Vaasa 16 % Lahti 9 % Jyväskylä 8 % Tampere 6% Oulu 19 % Kuopio 10 % Joensuu 18 % Lappeenranta 8 % Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa 6,7,6 % Turku 8 % Vaasa 16 % Lahti 9 % Jyväskylä 8 % Tampere 6% Oulu 19 % Kuopio 10 % Joensuu 18 % Lappeenranta 8 % Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa 6,7,6 %
Cycling and winter drop off in 8 Finnish cities How often do you cycle in spring, summer and autumn (time period without snow)? Not at all Once a month Once a week Almost daily How often do you cycle in winter? Photo: Touho Häkkinen Not at all Once a month Once a week Almost daily Source: Conditions of cycling and walking in Finnish cities. Tampere University of Technology / Transport Research Centre Verne 2012, Sari Aavajoki. http://www.tut.fi/verne/wp-content/uploads/ verne_tutkimusraportti79.pdf
The system counts People are not just cyclist or pedestrians, people choose to most convinient way to travel. The number of (year around) cycling depends on a couple of keyfactors. 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Modal share in different ci9es (year- around) Walking Cycling Car PT
Factor #1 Possibility to use public transport. Photo: City of Helsinki / Jussi Hellsten
Factor #2 Urban planning: compact city and short distances.
Smart land use planning Compact and dense city - The City of Vaasa Traffic system designed for land use - The City of Helsinki Picture: the cycling Master plan for the city of Vaasa, 2013 Picture: the cycling barometer of Helsinki 2016
The share of the population of the city The accessibility of the city center by the population and the trip length
Cycling network fast and short routes to cyclist The City of Oulu Trip 7 km Time 25 min Trip 6 km Time 20 min 0 Trip 7 km Time 25 min Picture: the city of Oulu
Factor #3 The possibility for free parking and easy driving. Photo: City of Helsinki / Jussi Hellsten
Factor #4 Prioritized cycling routes and the ambition to develop year around cycling! Photo: Antero Aaltonen
Cycling network year around in Joensuu Maintenance in cycling paths Class A+ cycling highways Class A Class B Picture: the city of Joensuu
Factor #5 The motivational work and sharing the joy of cycling in winter!
Winter cyclig agents People posted experiences to sosial media about winter cycling
Encouragement to use studded tyres City of Jyväskylä People could join the stud team when using studded tyres. There where 70 participants and over 3 800 Facebooks hits.
Altogether
Monitoring and measuring
Source: Helsinki Bicycle Account 2015, City of Helsinki
CyclingCompass Know how yor city is cycling! Cycling promotion tool and audition procedure for municipalities
Indicators Cycling policy Monitoring Numbers of cycling traffic Competitiveness of cycling traffic Quality of cycling network Bicycle parking Safety (experienced and accidents) Satisfaction for cycling conditions Communication, marketing, campaigns, tourism
CyclingCompass shows how are the cycling conditions in the city, what are the strengths and were to improve.
Some conclusions Snow is not a problem! National support helps, local Master Plans are crucial Strong relation to public transport Parking policy is effective tool stick and carrot Prioritized cycling network and winter maintenance Ambitious and ongoing promoting for year around cycling plays a big role Monitoring and measuring still lack of it but getting better Best cycling cities are year around cycling cities à many factors influence, which can the city change or have an impact?
Thanks very much for your attention! Photo: Sanna Ojajärvi More information: matti.hirvonen@poljin.fi Need help? Call Finnish Cycling Embassy! http://poljin.fi/fi/pyorailylahetysto/finnish-cycling-embassy