Helsinki is converting bike paths to one-way routes, frustrating some cyclists

Helsinki’s shift toward one-way cycle paths is frustrating some cyclists, who say the new arrangements can make short trips and turns unnecessarily awkward.

On Oulunkyläntie in Koskela, fresh markings have changed a formerly two-way path into a one-way route. On a sunny Sunday, several cyclists appeared to be riding in the wrong direction. Some may not have known about the change, while others were trying to reach side streets or a café.

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Sometimes I follow them and sometimes I don’t. It depends on whether it is convenient and easy.

Ville Miettinen, cycling toward Käpylä, said he follows the one-way markings “sometimes.” “Sometimes I follow them and sometimes I don’t. It depends on whether it is convenient and easy,” he said. He considers some of the paths impractical, especially when cyclists need to cross briefly to the other side of the street or are about to turn away from the road.

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Drivers notice a cyclist coming from what is known as the wrong direction much less effectively.

Eija Talvitie, cycling toward Oulunkylä, also finds switching sides frustrating. She does not see a general need for one-way paths unless they run alongside a road used by cars. At Cafe Amore, she said the street was wide enough that she saw no reason to make the cycle path one-way.

Traffic engineer Arttu Mäenpää said safety is the city’s main reason. Accident data shows that many junction crashes involving cyclists occur because drivers emerging from side streets fail to see a cyclist approaching from the right. Older two-way paths are also often too narrow, forcing cyclists to take space from pedestrians when they pass. Helsinki still builds two-way paths in exceptional cases, such as on large roads or where they provide a logical continuation of a cycling route. The transition is taking place section by section, especially during major street works.

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Even here, the road is so wide that I see no need for it to be one-way.