Tampere Climbs to 45th in 2025 Copenhagenize Global Cycling Index

The City of Tampere reports that Tampere ranked 45th among the world’s top cycling cities in 2025 after completing several major route upgrades. The Copenhagenize Index evaluated 100 cities from 44 countries and provides a benchmark for where the city should focus next.

In 2025 missing sections of main cycling routes were finished in Santalahti and Kaleva. A new lakeside connection along Näsijärvi, between Sahansaarenkatu and the Uittotunnel, now provides a more direct, higher-quality link between the city centre and Hiedanranta. The regional main route between the centre and Ylöjärvi has been shifted north of Paasikiventie.

Kaleva gained separated sidewalks and cycleways on Kalevan puistotie near Tammela stadium, complementing earlier street and plaza works, new cycle streets on Salhojankatu and expanded bike and scooter parking. Puutarhakatu and Aleksis Kiven katu are set to be rebuilt in 2026; Puutarhakatu will receive a wider two-way cycle track through the centre. Erkkilänkatu and the Erkkilä bridge are scheduled for late-summer renewal with separate lanes for pedestrians, cyclists and cars.

Work has begun on Hatanpään puistokuja and Viinikankatu alongside the University tunnel project, both planned to include high-quality separated sidewalks and cycleways; Viinikankatu’s west side will serve as a regional main route. Plans are also under way to widen Valssipadonraitin and renew the Frenckell bridges to create continuous separated routes linking Rongankatu and the new Puutarhakatu corridor.

This spring 60 new bike-share stations were added, and preparations are under way for a regional system aimed to start in spring 2028 in Tampere and Pirkkala. Bike parking increased by more than 500 spaces last year at 52 locations, with a further 456 places due in 2026, mainly in Kaleva and Hervanta; those spots are expected next autumn.

The first walking and cycling review, published for 2025, shows 16% of residents cycle daily and 22% weekly during snow-free seasons. Trip share is rising slowly.

"After years of systematic development, the pieces are coming together," says traffic engineer Timo Seimelä of the City of Tampere, who points to higher user satisfaction and clear growth in winter cycling numbers.