The winter cycling capital of the world is simply incredible

There’s a city in Finland that is amazing for riding all-year round. It’s called Oulu, and is referred to as the “winter cycling capital of the world. The city is a haven for cyclists year-round–and definitely merits the nickname.

For many Canadians, we are used to riding in the snow, and some cities–like Montreal–are upping the bar for riding when it’s cold. But Oulu definitely is the benchmark for fabulous infrastructure in the cold months.

Cycling all year, even when it’s freezing

There are a whopping 600 km of well-maintained bike paths in Oulu. Not only that, but Oulu is committed to the cycling infrastructure, even during harsh Nordic winters. Snow-covered paths are meticulously ploughed and sanded, allowing riders to continue riding even in sub-zero temperatures–which happens a lot there.

This is #Oulu, a cycling city with more than 950km well maintained cycling paths. We have also more than 350km well maintained skiing paths and many of them are easily accessible by bike. Hence it’s only natural that people living in the city center goes skiing by bike🤗🚲🎿 pic.twitter.com/zNn0wBTAYD

— Harri Vaarala (@harrivaarala) February 7, 2023

The Finnish coastal city is just 100 km south of the Arctic Circle, but despite that, locals embrace winter cycling, with 12 per cent of winter journeys made by bike despite temperatures dropping to -30°C. This is thanks to the city’s dedicated snow-clearing efforts. The city of Oulu ensures cycling routes are cleared daily, making commuting easier and also providing access for mobility scooter users.

The joy of riding in Oulu

“I ride 27 km every day to work, and when the sun is shining and the snow reflects the light, it’s a lovely environment,” Harri Vaarala, a traffic engineer for the city of Oulu, told the BBC. “Sometimes I even take the longer route across the frozen sea. One time, I realized I was late for a team meeting, so I stopped and joined it virtually in the middle of the frozen sea.”

BUILD & MAINTAIN, and they will come!
🚲❄️🚲
Investing in and prioritizing active mobility are fundamental values of the City of #Oulu 🇫🇮.

For us, the winter maintenance of cycling paths is not a cost but an investment—an investment in preventive healthcare. pic.twitter.com/H5bRTA7whp

— Harri Vaarala (@harrivaarala) November 20, 2024

The team maintaining Oulu’s cycle paths hosts “roadside events” with hot drinks to gather feedback from cyclists. The…