Background information

The program aimed at encouraging walking and cycling in Finland is designed to improve the necessary conditions for these activities in municipalities, support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from traffic, and promote public health. The goal set in the program is, that by 2030 there would be a 30% increase in travel volume. This goal aligns with Finland’s national energy and climate strategy.

A 30% increase in travel volume would translate to 450 million additional walks and bicycle trips in 2030, raising the share of walking and cycling in modes of travel to 35-38% from the current 30%. Simultaneously, the safety of walking and cycling must be enhanced. One of the long-term targets is to save the society billions of euros through reducing traffic emissions and road casualties, along with improving public health.

The programme complements and is a continuation to the national strategy for promoting walking and cycling formed in 2011. It also functions as a strengthening factor for the effectiveness of similar municipality-level programmes.

The programme was prepared by the Ministries of the Environment, Social Affairs and Health, and Education and Culture, and by the National Sports Council, Transport Agency, Cyclists' Federation, and Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities.

Content of measure

The promotion program is realised through 31 different measures, of which a majority are permanent, that encourage walking and cycling. Key measures include infrastructure and land use development, fund allocations for promoting walking and cycling, and influencing public opinion about physical activity patterns. Additionally, important goals include the development of policies and legislation, collaboration among various stakeholders, identifying responsible parties for walking and cycling, and promoting bicycle travel.

The effect of the programme and the number of walking and bike travels are measured through national and local passenger transport surveys on a yearly basis, through a measure aimed at improving the monitoring of walking and cycling.

The programme is realised by municipalities, regions, regional and national public agencies and institutions, real estate developers and owners, interest organisations, transport services companies, public transport authorities, and others.

For the launching of the programme, €5 million was allocated for projects in 2018-2019. The programme also includes state subsidies to municipalities to promote walking and cycling, as well as mobility management projects. These are granted by the state aid authority for the transport administration, Traficom.

Use of measure

According to the programme document, a minimum of €100 million was allocated to the measures realised by the actors responsible.

In 2024, Traficom will grant between three and five million euros of government grants within the walking and cycling investment programme.

A total of €85.6 million has been allocated between 2018 and 2023 to 248 projects in 86 municipalities.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies Companies providing essential services	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Company / Companies Other social actors (e.g. NGOs) Local / regional government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

No involvement

Views and reactions

No involvement

Sources

• 23 March 2018: Programme and government resolution to promote walking and cycling (lvm.fi)
• 04 April 2018: Walking and cycling promotion programme (www.traficom.fi)
• 27 February 2024: State subsidies for the walking and cycling investment programme (www.traficom.fi)
• 03 March 2024: National promotion of walking and cycling (www.traficom.fi)