Make the most of commuting

Choosing a bicycle for commuting – how to choose the right bike and equipment for Finnish weather conditions

Could commuting revolutionise your day-to-day life, too? An expert gives tips on the best bike models and tells how to get started.

You may have noticed a change at the workplace, on the street or among your friends. The popularity of commuting by bicycle has grown rapidly in recent years.

At the latest, the COVID-19 years attracted many to switch from public transport to a bike. People tried e-bikes and fell in love with them. The boom that has prevailed for a long time in Europe has reached Finland to stay.

The bicycle benefit that many companies have embraced has had a major impact. It allows you purchasing a company bike tax-free up to EUR 1,200.

 Harri Helin, shop manager of the Helkama showroom in Tammisto, Vantaa, says that the benefit has lowered the threshold of getting an e-bike.

“The bike benefit has made the demand go through the roof. New company bikes are ordered daily, 99% of them e-bikes.”

Cycling is healthy, affordable and ecological

There is no need to wonder why people now cycle enthusiastically to work. The list of positive effects is long.

During your commute, you can also take care of daily physical activity and spending time outdoors amidst your busy day-to-day life. You can quickly get from one place to another without being stuck in traffic jams.

“It is easier to cycle to the centre of Helsinki along the Baana than to go there with your own car on congested roads,” says Helin.

Those who are tired of the price of petrol and parking fees are delighted with the low price of cycling. After buying a bike, there is almost no cost to use it.

For others, riding a bike is a choice that supports green values. An e-bike can be an alternative to a car or a family’s second car.

According to Helin, bikes are purchased mostly for commuting about 5–15 kilometres.

– Distances of 20–30 kilometres are fully possible with an e-bike, especially if you do not need to make the trip every day.

Choosing a bicycle for commuting – what should you consider when choosing a bike?

The easiest way to find the most suitable bike for you is to test ride. A bicycle for commuting should be chosen together with a salesperson who will measure the appropriate frame height and adjust the handlebar.

If the customer does not have a specific bike model in mind, different criteria will serve as the starting point in looking for the right option. The customer is asked for their wishes regarding, for example, the riding position, the number of gears and whether they want hand brakes or a coaster brake.

“The choice of bike depends largely on whether it is to be ridden in the city, off-road or both. We will also find out what distances the customer plans to ride,” says Helin.

If there are lots of climbs on the route to the workplace, one should pick an e-bike with more torque.

“The length of the commute affects the type of battery the e-bike needs. For long journeys, people want batteries with a lot of power and capacity so that they don’t need to be recharge them every day.

A bicycle helmet and a lock are an absolute must when starting commuting by bicycle. The bike can also be accessorised as necessary. Bike-mounted accessories add comfort to the commute. Laptops and change of clothes can be transported in optional rear baskets and panniers.

“Good lights are needed for dark mornings and evenings. A cell phone on the handlebar allows making calls and following directions during the trip.”

Finnish bicycles for Finnish conditions

Some commuters get on their bikes all year round. In that case, it is reassuring to know that Helkama’s Finnish bikes are designed for Finnish weather conditions.

“Helkama bicycles use high-quality components that are resistant to slush and salt. All e-bikes are assembled at the Hanko factory from start to finish,” says Helin.

Special attention should be paid to appropriate clothing and equipment when the weather becomes more challenging.

“Studded tyres are essential in winter. It is also good to keep in mind that frost consumes the e-bike battery faster than usual and thus affects its range.

Explore e-bikes at the showroom

Helkama’s showroom in Vantaa is a good place to start if you are dreaming of commuting with a new bike. For many, an e-bike is still a new and exciting thing, but knowledgeable salespeople are always there to help and answer questions.

Helin wishes that customers would not hesitate to come to the showroom to explore bike models.

– We are happy to demonstrate electric bikes and show you through different functionalities for both e-bike and regular bicycles. Almost the entire range is on display and all bicycles can be taken for a test ride.

This spring, we have been able to share good news with customers: the component shortage that plagued the availability of e-bikes has already eased. With the exception of a few of the most popular models, the delivery times have been greatly reduced.

Best e-bikes for commuters

Finnish e-bikes from Hanko!

Helkama is a more than 100-year-old Finnish family company that manufactures modern high-quality e-bikes and bicycles in Finland. Our Hanko plant produces more than 25,000 bikes every year, ranging from city bicycles to mountain bikes, but today we focus on being a trendsetter in e-biking in particular.

Read more