Bicycle and pedestrian transport

Goals

Walking and cycling are sustainable and environmentally friendly ways of travelling and they comply with the aims of transport policy. Promoting non-motorised traffic is also in line with the aims of developing a transport system that supports equality. Not everyone has their own car or access to an efficient public transport service, and these people must be able to get to their destination by walking or cycling.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications intends to increase the modal share of pedestrian and bicycle traffic, especially in urban areas. The street network in towns and cities, the routes used by non-motorised traffic and in the Helsinki metropolitan Area rail traffic should be made safe for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Government Programme encourages the authorities to develop cycle and pedestrian routes and to promote measures that will increase non-motorised traffic.

Legislation and instructions

Non-motorised traffic is dealt with in the Road Traffic Act (267/1981) and Decree (182/1982) and in the Ministry's Decision on Traffic Control (203/1982). In addition, The Finnish Transport Agency and the Finnish Association of Local and Regional Authorities have a joint planning directive on non-motorised traffic. The issue is also being dealt with in the instructions for the maintenance of streets and pedestrian and cycle routes.

National strategy for walking and cycling 2020

In March 2011 The Ministry completed a national strategy for walking and cycling until 2020. The target is to raise the modal share of walking and cycling by 20 per cent, which would mean in practice some 300 more journeys made by walking or cycling. The number of short journeys made by passenger vehicles should be reduced by the same number. The strategy was drawn up in close cooperation with the Finnish Transport Agency, the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres), cities and municipalities, the Ministry of the Environment and third sector actors.

According to the strategy, walking and cycling are healthy modes of travel, which citizens should be encouraged to use. As means of transport, they should have their own recognised status and this should be reflected in the allocation of resources. Non-motorised traffic should also be given consideration in community, traffic and town planning. Where journeys to work, school and services are relatively short, pleasant and safe, walking and cycling are attractive alternatives for making the journey. To ensure that this is possible, the measures needed are goal-driven cooperation among all the actors involved, re-direction of resources, changes in legislation and monitoring of development.

In its Transport Policy Report of 2008, the Government proposed the drawing up of long-term policy lines for non-motorised traffic. In the Climate Policy Programme of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for 2009, quantitative targets were set for non-motorised traffic with a view to reducing emissions.

Pedestrian and cycle traffic in the administrative sector and regional administration

The Finnish Transport Agency is drawing up a national action plan for implementing the strategy for pedestrian and cycle traffic. The plan is to be finalised in autumn 2011.

Safe walking and cycling will be promoted by building pedestrian and cycle routes, which at the moment cover some 5000 km, and also by building over- and under-passes along highways. On roads that have no separate paths for pedestrians or cyclists it is important to ensure that the verges are properly maintained. Improving lighting and traffic control will also improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

The infrastructure sector of the ELY Centres is responsible for implementing the tasks of state regional administration. The Finnish Transport Agency is sin charge of the operational control of the ELY Centres in the field of road maintenance. The Finnish Transport Safety Agency Trafi and Liikenneturva monitor and participate in the marketing of traffic safety measures.

Cooperation

The Ministry of Transport and Communications cooperates with Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of Education and Culture in the work of developing non-motorised modes of transport. The Ministry is represented on the Committee for Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (TELI Committee), whose fields of interests include promoting walking and cycling.

There is also unofficial cooperation on developing non-motorised traffic, especially with other Nordic and EU countries.