Helsinki integrates new bike-share program with public transportation system

As part of its overall plan to promote cycling, the Finnish capital Helsinki has introduced a public bike-share program that is linked seamlessly with the metropolitan area's multi-modal public transportation system. Launched at the beginning of May 2016 with 500 three-speed, adult-sized bikes and 50 docking throughout the inner city, the program will expand to 1,500 bikes, 150 stations and to further city districts in 2017. The Helsinki metropolitan area public transportation system incorporates a
May 27, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
As part of its overall plan to promote cycling, the Finnish capital Helsinki has introduced a public bike-share program that is linked seamlessly with the metropolitan area's multi-modal public transportation system.

Launched at the beginning of May 2016 with 500 three-speed, adult-sized bikes and 50 docking throughout the inner city, the program will expand to 1,500 bikes, 150 stations and to further city districts in 2017.

The Helsinki metropolitan area public transportation system incorporates a subway, streetcars, commuter trains, buses, ferries, and now bike share. All modes of public transportation are included in the regional Journey Planner, which finds the optimal route from point A to point B using all modes of transportation. The Helsinki Travel Card, a smartcard used to pay for trips, can now be used for personal identity verification in the bike-share program.

Features of the bike-share program include online registration, digital control boxes on bike handlebars used to operate the bikes, fixed docking stations and renewable energy to power the system. The bike docking stations are powered by in-built solar panels. The bikes' control boxes are continuously charged through a bike hub dynamo system.

The Journey Planner indicates the locations of bike docking stations and, in real time, the number of bikes available at each station.
Urban Traffic Control

Related Content

  • BM Mobility launches electric bike-sharing service in Malaysia
    August 14, 2018
    BM Mobility has launched its Revgo electric bike-sharing service at the University of Malaya in Malaysia to provide an environmentally friendly mode of transport. A report by The Straits Times says the company will deploy 170 bikes which can travel up to 20km an hour and reach 50km on a full charge. RevGo bikes were initially deployed at the University in July, which according to BM Mobility, now has around 1,000 registered members. The campus has eight parking sites and two charging stations which can
    Read More
  • UK city bids for programme to develop EAPC hubs
    August 5, 2015
    Leicester City Council in the UK and Leicester-based sustainable travel specialist, Go Travel Solutions have submitted a bid for a major programme to develop Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) hubs. They successfully progressed through the Expression of Interest stage and a full application has now been submitted to apply for a share of the US$778,500 funding that the Department for Transport has made available for cities, rural areas and tourism hotspots in England, outside of London, to develop shar
    Read More
  • The FIA’s formula for future mobility
    March 11, 2016
    The FIA’s Region I president Thierry Willemarck tells Colin Sowman about his organisation’s campaigning work for the rights of road users and mobility for all. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile may be best known as the FIA and the governing body for world motor sport - particularly Formula 1 - but its influence spreads far wider than the racetrack. The organisation was founded in 1904 with a remit to safeguard the rights and promote the interests of motorists and motor sport across the world. No
    Read More
  • Vienna buses display bike availability
    September 30, 2016
    Vienna has introduced software on trams and buses that shows passengers the number of bicycles available at upcoming stops with bike-sharing terminals, reports Eltis. Vienna has 121 bike-sharing terminals and 1 500 city bikes. Over 1 million trips took place on Citybike Wien bicycles last year. The joint project between public transport operator Wiener Linien, Citybike Wien and Infoscreen, the manufacturers of the screens was trialled in August and fully introduced across the city earlier this month.
    Read More

Highlighted Content