Great success for Finnish bicycle advocacy, backed up by the Leadership Programme: Finland’s new Energy and Climate Strategy includes an official national goal to increase the numbers of trips made by bicycle or foot to 30% by the year 2030. Thanks to the ECF members Finnish Cyclists’ Federation and Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities Finland is now cycling towards a better climate change policy!

"The state should change the actual traffic policy in favor of walking, cycling and public transport - this would be the most sustainable solution for the national economy. Cycling is already delivering more than 1.1 billion Euros per year in health benefits for society" says Matti Koistinen executive director of the Finnish Cyclists' Federation. 

The best way to achieve the ambitious goal would be the construction of cycling infrastructure. The responsibility of the bicycle infrastructure has been mostly on municipalities.The state has to financially help municipalities to build high-quality infrastructure, the tax deductions on commuting must be changed from favoring private car driving to favoring cycling and there must be carrots for buying pedelecs. 

Improving the conditions for cycling and walking in cities, has a lot of benefits for all citizens and transforms the city into a more livable place. Noise, dust and exhaust gases are reduced and traffic safety will be improved. But on the other hand, the government wants to subsidize biofuels and electric vehicles. More effective would be to reduce the use of private cars, particularly in cities.

"Walking and cycling conditions are an investment that produces a profit and reduces emissions very effective", emphasizes Matti Hirvonen, executive director of the Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities.