j4l4Jan 9, 2024
Pekka Tahkola

1000 out of 1200 kids in this school in #Oulu, #Finland, arrive by #bicycle, even in winter. 100-150 walk, rest by ski, kicksleds and car. This day it was -17°C, some days it can be colder than -30°C.

Note that this is only one of the four bicycle parking areas of this school 🤗

#Wintercycling #MeanwhileInOulu

Nov 23, 2022 at 11:43amWeb
Show threadNonbeliever GeorgeNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola yes I can attest to that.
Show threadJason BaileyNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola I am also noticing the absence of locks. Where I live, there would be far fewer out there when school gets out. Good for them!
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@pavlovs_mog Many of them have integrated frame locks though :)
Show threadJason BaileyNov 24, 2022
@pekkatahkola Interesting! I had to google that. Seems lighter and more convenient than the heavy cable lock I keep in my saddle bag.
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 24, 2022
@pavlovs_mog They are so comfortable, easy and fast to use with a little less expensive, more basic bikes 🤗
Show threadThe Ghost of Blaze FoleyNov 24, 2022
@pavlovs_mog @pekkatahkola I noticed the same thing! It’s pretty rare to see an unattended bicyle without a lock in my neck of the woods.
Show threadTim DruryNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola Even nicer is most (all?) are not locked up. Nice community.
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@timdrury Many of them actually are, with integrated frame locks. But yeah still many remain unlocked :)
Show threadAutisfanaticNov 23, 2022
I love this for Finnish people!! Less carbon emmison over there
Sorry that it's freezing though.
Show threadFabian ¯\_(ツ)_/¯Nov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola NotJustBikes also covered this in a video some time ago: https://invidious.snopyta.org/watch?v=Uhx-26GfCBU (for those who want a bit more story/information)
Why Canadians Can't Bike in the Winter (but Finnish people can)

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/not-just-bikes-why-canadians-can-t-bike-in-the-winter-but-finnish-people-can When talking about bicycle infrastructure in Canada, the number one excuse I hear is "winter." Many Canadians see the cold and snow as a fundamental barrier to year round cycling. But one city, Oulu in Finland, with winter weather worse than most Canadian cities, shows that winter cycling has nothing to do with the weather, and everything to do with safe cycling infrastructure. Want to learn more about winter cycling? Every February, the Winter Cycling Federation holds a Winter Cycling Congress where experts and advocates get together and talk about best practices in cycling infrastructure and maintenance. More information is here at https://wintercycling.org/ Get a 26% discount on Curiosity Stream + free access to Nebula: https://curiositystream.com/notjustbikes Patreon: https://patreon.com/notjustbikes Twitter: https://twitter.com/notjustbikes Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/notjustbikes One-time donations: https://notjustbikes.com/donate NJB Live (my bicycle livestream channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9v57F4xz46KaDsvWfCv8yw --- This video would not have been possible without contributions from: * Pekka Tahkola: https://twitter.com/pekkatahkola * Anders Swanson: https://twitter.com/SwansonAnders * CycleYYZ: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHinhHYjd7k_K7d2lEmC73w * Dave Edwards: https://twitter.com/DaveLikesBikes * Joonas Olli: https://twitter.com/O_Joonas * Vélo d'hiver - Montréal: https://www.facebook.com/groups/velodhiver/about * My Brother * Wimpy snowflake Canadian who can't handle a little bit of cold --- Winter cycling study (in Finnish): TALVIPYÖRÄILYLAAJUUSMOTIIVIT JA ESTEETTERVEYSVAIKUTUKSET https://docplayer.fi/7216725-Talvipyoraily-laajuus-motiivit-ja-esteet-terveysvaikutukset.html Map of bicycle underpasses in Oulu and the surrounding area: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=1rMd5XedFvMJFgbqF9ZdAYnICBG8&ll=65.00256878332665%2C25.457461452295682&z=12 BLUEGRYB | Rotating Icebreaker GRYB (YouTube/CC BY) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSKiUIL_qK0 https://www.bixi.com/en/where-do-all-the-bixi-go-in-the-winter How to Keep Cyclists Riding Even in the Frigid Snowy Winter The two key lessons learned by Northern European cities. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-26/how-to-keep-cyclists-riding-even-in-the-snowy-winter Ice cycles: the northerly world cities leading the winter bicycle revolution https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/feb/12/ice-cycles-northerly-world-cities-winter-bicycle-revolution Music: "My Touque's Too Tight" by Drool Puddy --- Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:05 You can't cycle in the winter 0:36 Introduction to Oulu 1:29 It's not the cold 2:21 First: safe cycle paths 4:20 Second: proper winter maintenance 6:08 Lessons from Oulu 6:39 My experiences with winter cycling 7:37 Gushing over how awesome Oulu is 8:00 It's not as cold as you think 9:40 Progress in Canada 10:48 Canadian excuses 11:29 Winter Cycling Congress 11:59 Conclusion 12:24 Patreon shout-out 12:37 Drool Puddy music video

Not Just Bikes | Invidious
Show threadLisa Quilty HillNov 24, 2022
@BafDyce @pekkatahkola that makes perfect sense. I would never think of biking in the winter here in our town in the US, because we do not have bike paths, and it is dangerous on the roads under the best of circumstances.
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 24, 2022
@Quilty @BafDyce Exactly. We need safe and well maintained infrastructure.
Show threadeviloatmeal, resident Death Stranding 2 apologist (arch, btw)Nov 27, 2022
@pekkatahkola @Quilty @BafDyce Safe and well-maintained infrastructure would be a big bonus. But where I'm from in Norway (close to Oulu, but the climate is different here on the coast), it's quite dangerous, and people bike despite that. I also did 2000 miles in the States this year, and people tend to drive like they're afraid of getting sued, and the highways often have beautiful, wide road shoulders where the cars won't bother you at all throughout the day.

What you need is cyclists on the roads. Every bike is one less car.
Show threadSmallTownGirlNov 30, 2022
@pekkatahkola @Quilty @BafDyce Yes, a lack of bike infrastructure is a barrier in many parts ofAlberta. Warm, functional winter clothing must be more affordable too.
Show threadStefan 🇪🇺🇩🇪🇺🇦🇬🇱Nov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola
That's cool!
Show threadCaryNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola Grew up near Oulu (Wisconsin) -- no winter bicycles to be seen (would have been a 40 km ride to school)
Show threadKarl Voit  Nov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola How common are spike tires?
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@publicvoit About 30% of ppl cycling here use one or two in winter. Among kids even less. Usually there's simply no need for them 🤗
Show threadjnbhlrNov 24, 2022
@pekkatahkola @publicvoit Which is amazing. Anything special about those bikes at all? I suppose they have to be a bit more diligent with their cable services to avoid freezing water blocking them?
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 24, 2022
@jnbhlr @publicvoit Not really. The simpler the bike, the better it also works in winter. Several bikes could be just single speed with coaster brakes even sometimes without any cables that could freeze. That said, many bikes also have gears and cables. But it's kinda common sense to take into account the freezing possibility and not let them freeze. 🤗 Still happens sometimes though.
Show threadjnbhlrNov 24, 2022
@pekkatahkola @publicvoit Are coaster brakes more resistentant to freezing? I guess so, as they are covered in grease. I'd expect all bikes on the pictures are frozen after school - how dow you mean that "not let them freeze"? ;-)
Show threadTakemusuNov 25, 2022
@jnbhlr @pekkatahkola @publicvoit An internal hub may be advantageous as they are for many frequent bike commuters. Other than that fat tires, frequent light clean & lube of the chain & really warm gloves. The forecast is ❄️🌨️ & temps in 20-30s this week & I have to admit we might not ride this week.
Show threadeviloatmeal, resident Death Stranding 2 apologist (arch, btw)Nov 27, 2022
@jnbhlr @pekkatahkola @publicvoit Never really had a cable freeze on me during winter. If there's water (e.g. rain), that usually means it's not freezing, and if it's freezing, then there shouldn't be much liquid water. Especially at Oulu temperatures (I think I saw mentions of -17C and -30C). At those temperatures, all the moisture in the air will have long since condensed down to the ground and frozen. In any case, a little dab of grease where the wire exits the cable helps stop water from getting into the housing. Hydraulic lines with mineral oil should also be fine even at -30C.
Show threadjnbhlrNov 29, 2022
@eviloatmeal @publicvoit @pekkatahkola I currently have some issues with a bike that was probably just stored moist, haven't used it in the rain. But yeah, if it's consistent <0°C, there is very little moisture in the air to make problems. -17°C is below the minimal temperature I've riden, a schoolmate hat nozefreeze at ~ -10°C. I never had any issues like that, but my schooltrip was uphill so I always arrived warm.
Show threadeviloatmeal, resident Death Stranding 2 apologist (arch, btw)Nov 29, 2022
@jnbhlr @publicvoit @pekkatahkola I guess I'm also abnormally cautious with my bikes in the sense that I always store them indoors. My friends joke that I take my bike to bed with me, but it's not too far from the truth, depending on the size of the "indoors".
Show threadjnbhlrNov 29, 2022
@eviloatmeal @publicvoit @pekkatahkola The bike in question is my indoorish stored bike, though indoor is a cellar (could go up to 60% humidity). Most bikes are stored away from the rain but exposed to fresh air which seems to be quite nice. The saddle is cold in the morning, but not wet :-)
Show threadJayNov 24, 2022
@publicvoit @pekkatahkola My son rides to school year round and has studded tires here in southern Ontario. They aren't useful on snow, but we have melt/freeze cycles all winter that leads to a lot of ice. They actually make it easier to bike than to walk on icy trails. So much grip, but they take more effort to pedal. https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5064-679/marathon-winter-plus-smartguard-hs-396-29in.?colour=Black
Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus SmartGuard HS 396 29in. | MEC

Marathon Winter Plus SmartGuard HS 396 29in.: Retain full control on icy roads, even in tight turns and under hard braking. These studded tires make your winter rides safer. The spikes w

Mountain Equipment Company
Show threadKarl Voit  Nov 24, 2022
@ve3mal @pekkatahkola I had advantages when crossing the river via wooden bridges that can get quite slippery. Of course also helps with ice in general.
Show threadBomengidsNl TreeGuide EuropeNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola beautiful pines too 👍🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@bomengidsnl I totally agree! 🤗
Show threadSuperIluNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola and the bikes are not even locked!!!!😱
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@dec_hl Many of them are actually, with integrated frame locks. But yeah, many of the bikes are still unlocked 🤗
Show threadSuperIluNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola that would be unthinkable in Berlin, even for very short times.
Also: Hi to Oulu, we had that on our list for the last summer holiday, but were forced to re-schedule and we skipped it
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@dec_hl Hope you can make a successful visit soon then! 🤗
Show threadRuth MottramNov 24, 2022
@pekkatahkola @dec_hl this is often causing confusion in Copenhagen too- our bikes are locked with framelocks too...
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 24, 2022
@Ruth_Mottram @dec_hl Exactly. I get this comment all the time - it seems to be such a weird concept for some countries 🙈 Perhaps it's too simple, easy and cheap ;)
Show threadRuth MottramNov 24, 2022
@pekkatahkola @dec_hl in #Denmark it's a requirement to have one for your bike to be insured!
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 24, 2022
@Ruth_Mottram @dec_hl Interesting. A bike needs to have specifically an integrated frame lock to be insured? Other locks won't do?
Show threadRuth MottramNov 25, 2022
@pekkatahkola @dec_hl it has to be a registered lock (with certain standards). I'm not sure to its specified it has to be an internal one but in practice from that's what it seems to be...
Show threadSuperIluNov 24, 2022
@pekkatahkola @Ruth_Mottram well, in Berlin a framelock only means that thieve1 does not ride away with your bike but thieve2 puts it into his van some minutes later…
Show threadParents For Future Nov 23, 2022
So nice to see you here, @pekkatahkola!
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@parents4future Likewise!
Show threadJakob Thoböll - R.I.P. NatenomNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola And a lot of the shown bicycles are not even the newest high-tech-offroad-bikes. Just normal city-bikes. THIS is how to save enviorement. Have seen similar attitude in Norway in March.
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@jakob_thoboell Exactly. With good infra and maintenance you don't need anything fancy. A bike that moves from A to B is enough 🤗
Show threadFuzzbizzNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola It's on the list as a bike-friendly place to live that could weather climate change better than most people. NL is enticing but could get hot (and flooded...)
Show threadBundesserviceTelekommunikationNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola
It seems these bicycles are not locked. Is it secure?
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@GregorxxxSamsa Many bikes are locked with integrated frame locks. Then again many are not.
Show threadBundesserviceTelekommunikationNov 23, 2022

@pekkatahkola

I don't trust these integrated locks. You can simply take the bicycle along. I believe theft is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome if you want to make cycling more popular.

Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@GregorxxxSamsa Depends on the bike naturally. Most bikes with frame locks or no locks are not worth much and thus not really worth stealing. Thing is, you don't need to have a fancy bike to be able to cycle to school. More expensive bikes exist of course as well, and they are usually locked better.
Show threadBundesserviceTelekommunikationNov 23, 2022

@pekkatahkola

Yes, but it still is a nuisance. Having your bike stolen every other month doesn't add to comfort.

Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@GregorxxxSamsa Of course, and I do understand that bike theft is a serious problem 😔 Luckily a bit less so with kids cycling to school.
Show threadBundesserviceTelekommunikationNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola
Not at all. It has always been a big problem. Had my bike stolen at school so many times.
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@GregorxxxSamsa Sorry to hear that :/ (and I meant here)
Show threadJeroen van BergenNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola Yes! That is the right attitude. Get free excercise, use only a small amount of resources and you can even have fun while doing it. I grew up in the north of the Netherlands and it was not uncommon for kids to bike 10 to 15 km to high school, one way. One winter it was -15 in the morning and the school issued a warning to dress really warm. Guess that would be considered a mild day in Finland…
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@jeroenvanbergen -15C would be a quite regular winter temperature here 🤗 I guess they could issue warnings at -35 or -40 or so 🤷🏻‍♂️
Show thread@maybeabattistNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola weather is Never an excuse! Cool to See that!
Show threadSusann AuerNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola oh yes, can attest to that working well, did it myself in Oulun winter many years ago.
The big difference to other countries/cities in winter is you have snow predictably and don't use salt so the flat snow surface and structure allows bike use.
For breathing I found the biking at subzero till -20°C degrees downtown challenging, ice crystals forming and all. Oh, and the right chain oil that keeps the chain moving is important - so a few preparations are necessary.
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@SusannAuer Winters have changed here as well. We have way too much freeze and thaw nowadays, so it's not that easy anymore. But good maintenance helps 👌
Show threadPermanently whelmedNov 23, 2022
@pekkatahkola I miss Oulu! I did my #Erasmus year there years and (many) years ago and have not yet been back. I must fix that.
Show threadPekka TahkolaNov 23, 2022
@Architect_GP Welcome! 🤗