Helsinki Revisited

Took a while, but here's a little film about my visit to Helsinki last year for a keynote talk and a Cycle Chic photoshoot and bike ride. It's just a funky little collection of moving images from the Finnish capital. The Cycle Chic event and other bicycle trips I was taken on in the city.


You can revisit the photos from the Helsinki visit by watching the slideshow from Flickr:

Helsinki: Vintage Bicycle Eldorado

We're popping back to Helsinki Cycle Chic for a moment, so bear with me. There were many things that amazed me about the city - bikewise and otherwise - but one thing that I found quite fantastic was the amazing number of vintage Nordic bicycles under the bottoms of Helsinki's Citizen Cyclists. You don't see many in Denmark anymore but take a trip across The Sound to Malmö, in Sweden, for example and there are many more to behold.

But Helsinki seems to be a magnet to which all these gorgeous old bicycles are attracted. Not surprisingly, the fashionable crowd have adopted these old bikes from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. They are undeniably aesthetic and cool. But in every bike rack I found examples. Like the Norwegian 'Norrland' in the top photo and the Finnish 'Tuntari' just above these words.

Many of these bicycles were in exile around Scandinavia for many years, hidden away in summer houses - like these ones at ours - but with the reemergence of the bicycle as transport in our cities, these old workhorses have been given a new lease on life. Above is a 'Union' bicycle from Norway.

Another Finnish 'Tunturi' and a Swedish 'Monark'.

This old 'Tunturi' was quite beautiful. There were even remnants of a knitted skirtguard and the contents of the toolbox under the backrack were vintage, as well. Including an old school Danish bike repair kit called Jylland Special. I even have one of these vintage kits here at home.

All in all it was a real treat to see so many cool, old bicycles on the streets of Helsinki. I learned that the price is rising on them - at the moment it's about €150. Just like the rebirth of the Mini Bikes, it's safe to say the there's no school like the old school.

I didn't get to ride a vintage pearl around the city, but I was more than content at riding this bike, above, graciously provided by the new Finnish brand, Pelago. With my recently purchased bag from Ortigiano strapped to the handlebars. Pelago's designs are true to the vintage style, so it was perfect for my visit.

Viva Helsinki!

Viva Helsinki - Olli Finale

I knew these photos would be appropriate for the grand Viva Helsinki Cycle Chic finale. Here's Olli. Dapper as hell and charming to boot.



And here's Olli with his family. Simply smashing bunch.

Viva Helsinki - Urban Planning Bicycle Ride

There was also time in Helsinki for a bicycle ride with focus on urban planning and redevelopment of the city's harbour areas. Sunshine, good friends, bicycles.

Can't beat it.



Among the things we visited was this lovely urban garden where a number of people grow flowers and vegetables.



Here's me giving the talk at the festival. Yes, I was hungover. :-)

Viva Helsinki - Sweet Smile

Helsinki Week here on Cycle Chic is slowly rolling to a close. What a town. I've been saving my personal favourites for the tail end of the ride.

Viva Helsinki - Elegance

Simply elegant.

Viva Helsinki - Classy

So very classy.

Viva Helsinki - Cool Couple

So cool.

Viva Helsinki - So Charming

We had a lovely chat. I loved the way her back fender was loosely attached with a web of gaffer/duct tape. "Copenhagen style", I remarked.

Viva Helsinki Again!

I'll never forget Helsinki as love as I live...

Viva Helsinki - Dapper Gents

We met this chap (a friend of the friends I was with) one evening. A ballet dancer with the Helsinki ballet. Looking dapper as you like.

And here's Niko, one of the City of Helsinki's two bicycle planners. I met with them to discuss infrastructure and Helsinki's visions for a more liveable city using bicycle traffic to achieve that goal.

Viva Helsinki - Irresistably Charming

Viva Helsinki Cycle Chic

The organisers of the Megapolis 2025 Festival arranged for a bit of a bike meet and Cycle Chic photo session on Friday evening. A brilliant bunch of people showed up.

Viva Helsinki - Arrival

Oh my. Helsinki. What a town. Oozing with a Nordic cool that is somewhat familiar to a Copenhagener and yet quite different at the same time. I was there to speak at the Megapolis 2025 Festival to present a keynote about promoting urban cycling positively - as well as a wonderful Cycle Chic event. The festival is the work of the Finnish NGO Dodo and it was brilliant.

I hadn't been in Helsinki for 20 years so I was itching to get back. Whenever I arrive in a city on a bicycle/urban mobility gig I am always keen to gain a quick first impression of the bicycle life of the place. So first up are some shots taken from the hotel - Hekla Hotel (cool place, brilliant staff) - upon arrival.

Right off the bat I knew I'd feel at home.


Of course one must first arrive in a city at a train station or airport and I always find myself looking for the very first sign of bicycles on the journey into the city. Yes, I realise that it's a bit like trainspotting, but isn't it a great deal more aesthetic than that? :-)


First spotting at left. Followed shortly after by the photo on the right.


And then a Helsinki Citizen Cyclist heading up one of the many hills in the city on her funky Jobo bicycle.


It all just got better and better the closer we came to the city centre. I'm just getting started. Stay tuned. Viva Helsinki.

Viva Helsinki

Oh my. You'd better get ready for Helsinki Cycle Chic. You're going to love it.