Traffic rules create confusion for cyclists and pedestrians in Finland

Traffic rules regarding right-of-way remain unclear for many individuals in Finland, particularly regarding interactions between cyclists and pedestrians at crosswalks. According to recent guidance, a cyclist riding over a crosswalk must yield to pedestrians, whereas a cyclist walking their bike is treated as a pedestrian and has the right of way over vehicles. A survey conducted by Liikenneturva in 2023 revealed that only less than half of participants understood these rules correctly. Despite this, 80% claimed they were confident in their overall knowledge of right-of-way regulations for drivers and cyclists.

Pasi Pohjonen, a training instructor at Liikenneturva, expressed concern that this lack of understanding likely persists, as many individuals do not regularly review the rules and rely on routine behaviors in traffic. With the school term starting soon, Pohjonen encourages everyone to refresh their knowledge of traffic regulations, especially with an increase in children on the roads.

The article also clarified that electric vehicles generally follow the same rules as cyclists. If an e-scooter is designed to travel at speeds up to 25 km/h, the operator must adhere to bicycle regulations. If it has a maximum speed of 15 km/h, the user is subject to pedestrian rules.

Mistakes in traffic often lead to frustration; a separate Liikenneturva survey found that 92% of respondents became irritated when witnessing traffic violations. Pohjonen advises that mistakes on the road are common and should not be perceived as intentional, emphasizing the importance of patience and understanding among all road users.