Hibernation is over

After long and extremely snowy winter spring is finally starting to show its sunny face. Helsinki is still covered with snow, but the sun shines, snow melts and people are getting on their bikes. Actually we have rode our bikes through the freezing winter, but spring really wakes up the cyclist in us.

Well, despite the sun and spring there is still enough snow...

Snow and some more snow

Like many other European cities, also Helsinki got some snow in the last weekend. It seems that we will have white christmas.

Here are some photos from this morning.

People still ride their bikes

in normal clothes

some listen to music

some carry stuff

Dark december

December is a dark month for cycling culture in Helsinki. It's grainy and blalck & white. If you look closely enough, you can see a cyclist among car lights. After two weeks days start to get longer and light will slowly come upon us again

Slow shutter

How would you describe cycling in Helsinki in the end of november? Low light and slow shutter speed.

Red lights - go?

Almost every single time I ride home from work I encounter the situation described. At Gräsanlaakso Espoo the bike lane crosses the road. (Espoo is a neighbour city of Helsinki)

When lights change, there is a moment when lights are red both for cars and for cyclist and pedestrians. Of course in this moments cars don't stop, but keep driving.

When lights turn red for cars, of course they won't stop. Then at last lights turn green for crossing the road. Now they will stop, you think. Think again. Every time one or two cars still drive towards red lights, and driver often talks to cell phone.

Of course you can ignore red lights, if you are in hurry home you or must go shopping to nearby mall. And in that particular spot there are no crossing cars, only pedestrians and cyclist. Or can you...?

In one of these days I won't stop, but star pedaling as soon as light turns green.

No parking

Sight that is often seen in cycling cities. Well, not so serious crime in my opinion. What do you think?

Nights are so long

It's the darkest moment of the year. Snow hasn't arrived yet, but all the light is gone. Cycling in this darkness among cars demands good spirit and bright lights.