ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Leading the change for sustainable transport

The Finnish Cycling Federation (Pyöräliitto) is at the forefront of advocating for cycling as a primary mode of transport in Finland. As a key player in shaping cycling policies and infrastructure, the Federation strives to make Finland a better place for cyclists through various campaigns, legislative changes, and collaborative projects. 

From lawmaking to public awareness
The Federation engages in lawmaking, public discussions, and supports local cycling organisations. It organizes VeloFinland, a major seminar, and has been a driving force behind impactful changes, including legislation for bike-friendly infrastructure and the promotion of cycling as an eco-friendly mobility option. Its projects reach various groups, including seniors and immigrants. 

Paving the way for a cycling revolution
The Federation has achieved remarkable milestones, such as influencing the introduction of electric bikes into the scrapping premium system, contributing to a reform in traffic laws, and driving the government’s goal of increasing cycling by 30% by 2030. Its efforts continue to encourage sustainable mobility, particularly in urban and semi-urban environments. 

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Helsinki’s Green Mobility Solution 

Helsinki’s City Bike Sharing system is one of the most advanced bike-sharing services worldwide. Offering 1,500 bikes and 457 stations across the metropolitan area, it is a major step towards sustainable mobility in urban spaces. Launched in 2017, it integrates seamlessly into the public transport system, offering an innovative way to travel around the city. 

Outputs of the City Bike System 

The City Bike system is managed by Helsinki City Transport with bikes provided by Smoove and station maintenance handled by Moventia. Clear Channel Finland leads project promotion. The system offers web-based rentals, allowing users to access bikes for short trips, typically up to 30 minutes, with more than 68,000 bike trips taken each week. The service operates between April and October. 

While the system primarily serves young, active individuals, efforts are underway to make it more inclusive for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled. With over 34,100 subscribers, the service has become a vital part of Helsinki’s sustainable transport infrastructure, contributing to reduced car use and improved mobility for its citizens. 

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Cycling courses in Finland reach hundreds of people with immigrant backgrounds

Pyöräliitto’s (Cycling Union) project ‘Immigrants on Bikes’ offers cycling courses for people with an immigrant background and teaches the benefits and joy of cycling.

The project offers various courses, having reached over 1200 immigrates by 2021.

• An elementary course teaches cycling skills, traffic rules, and basic bike adjustments.
• City and nature bike tours guide rides in urban and natural areas, focusing on safety and local familiarity.
• A bicycle repair course covers basic bike mechanics and maintenance.
• A coaching program enables immigrants to teach others in their own communities.

Cycling skills for vulnerable groups
Many immigrants living in Finland have no previous experience of cycling. Due to culture, religion or country of origin due to living conditions, cycling skills are poor or non-existent. This is especially true for girls and women. As an adult, learning to cycle independently is difficult, and that is why the Cycling Union has launched a project to develop cycling skills, especially for adult immigrants. Special attention given to women, trying to get them activated as cyclers. Importantly, the project increases immigrants’ independence and makes cycling a good transportation choice for low income actors.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected by Maria Ehrnström-Fuentes within ACCTING’s mapping of inspiring practice cases, within the Clean Energy Research Line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Ii, Finland

This municipal initiative aims to lower dioxide emissions, recycle, prevent waste, and use resources responsibly within the limits of the Earth’s capacity. Energy and climate work allow for cost savings, diversify the area’s economy and promote the well-being of locals and tourists.

Mobilizing the community

For over a decade, almost 10,000 citizens of the municipality of li have decreased the emissions of their region by 80%. After Ii’s previous tech-driven economic crises, decision-makers adjusted its development strategy; they took the crucial decision to boost the economy through sustainable means since climate efforts were not perceived as putting the brakes on business.

A joint effort of the whole municipality towards lowering carbon emissions made the success of the emission reduction possible. An inclusive approach was applied; the opinions of different groups when heard. Through strategic planning, the local economy’s reliance on renewable energy has grown, complementing a number of other sector (e.g. the rubber, plastics and packaging, construction, fine mechanics, and metal industries).

Creating an eco-friendly town

The climate actions led to significant achievements. Among these:

• Stopping the usage of oil heating and switching to local energy sources, such as geothermal heating.
• Enhancing the circulation of goods and materials intending to be waste-free.
• Hosting a yearly nationwide climate festival, ClimateArena, to address climate change.
• Achieving a 64% reduction in carbon emissions (2012-2020), and a decrease in electricity of 4% between 2014-2020
• Managing to cut down oil consumption by 89% from the 2010 level.
• Collecting energy, heat and water data in real time from all public buildings.
• Saving the costs of renewable energy and energy efficiency investments by more than 0,5 M€ per year
• Generating a tax revenue income from wind power of 1M euros per year.

Find out more here.

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