Over 90 % of residents in Turku lives less than 30 min from the city center. Therefore, all light-traffic lanes are maintained also in wintertime. The conditions for year-round cycling are excellent, and moving around in the city center is usually most convenient with a bicycle.

CIVITAS ECCENTRIC one key objective is to increase the year-round traffic flows of cycling and walking by making the current infrastructure easier, safer and more comfortable to use.

An increasing number of residents of Turku also cycle in the winter. For example, Teemu Vallius, the chairman of Turun Polkupyöräilijät ry (Turku Cyclists’ Association), cycles throughout the year, even at a temperature of -20°C.

– It helps to wear layers of wool, good gloves, shoes and a balaclava. It also helps that it’s usually not windy when the temperature is far below zero. On those days, there isn’t much traffic on bicycle lanes, says Vallius.

You don’t need many accessories. If the temperature ranges from 0 to -10°C, ordinary windproof winter outdoor clothes are enough.

Those who cycle regularly in the winter should invest in studded tyres. Vallius himself was late to notice this and wondered afterwards why he had not bought studded tyres earlier. It only cost about a hundred euros to make this purchase that makes his life easier; a sum that is enough to buy high-quality studded tyres.

You can change your tyres at a bicycle shop. The increased popularity of winter cycling is also visible in shops, though not to the extent that lines of customers would form in the winter. You can usually make an appointment to change your tyres for the next day at the latest.

– People buy studded tyres and some even buy a sturdier bike for winter use, says Joonas Berggren from the Turku-based bicycle shop Pyörähuolto Berggren.

According to Berggren, the best choice for a winter bicycle is a standard bicycle with a balanced and relaxed riding position. It helps to have wide tyres and hydraulic disc brakes without cables. In addition to warm clothes, a helmet is also a must. Winter cyclists also have to make sure that they are visible. Cyclists should wear several reflectors in the winter darkness and have both front and rear lights in their bicycles.

High-quality routes in top condition in the future

Maintenance Manager Mari Helin from the City of Turku says that all of the roughly 400 km of pedestrian and bicycle lanes in the city are also maintained in the winter. Last year, the city invested in the antiskid treatment of the bicycle lanes along the banks of the Aura River in particular.

– We are currently considering the high-quality winter cycling routes, i.e. the main cycling routes, and looking for different methods of maintenance, says Helin.

Employees of Kuntec work in two shifts from 5am in the morning to 9pm in the evening. If a snow storm starts during the night, the employees who work the morning shift start work earlier. When weather forecasts are accurate, the main bicycle lanes are usually in good condition by the time commuting hours begin.

– Of course, you can’t have summer conditions in the winter, and the conditions for cycling may be poor at times. We also can’t always avoid piling up a bank of snow on a bicycle lane due to the plowing of roadways, says Mikko Kunttu.

However, according to Vallius, who is an active cyclist, you should never be afraid of bad weather. The conditions for cycling are often quite good even in the winter.

– Give winter cycling a chance. It is neither difficult nor dependant on accessories.

Text: Elina Teerijoki
Photo: Liikenneturva/Nina Mönkkönen