Visit Lahti calls local businesses to build stronger cycling tourism

Visit Lahti announced that it is inviting tourism companies and other regional actors to join efforts to make the Lahti region an even more attractive cycling tourism destination in Päijät-Häme.

The press release says bicycle tourism continues to grow, with more travellers choosing cycling as a primary reason for travel and with cycling becoming an increasingly important part of holiday packages. It cites a 2024 cycling tourism survey by Pyörämatkailukeskus showing that Päijät-Häme ranks among Finland’s five most interesting cycling tourism regions, alongside Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, Varsinais-Suomi and Lapland.

According to Visit Lahti, what matters most to cyclists when selecting a destination includes scenery, easily accessible routes, and working rest and accommodation services. The release also lists the top five types of visitor stops reported in the 2024 survey: cafés, restaurants and food shops; nature sites and lean-to huts; cultural sights and attractions; swimming beaches; and museums.

To support better visibility and service availability, Visit Lahti will use the Pyörämatkailukeskus Welcome Cyclist badge, designed to help cyclists find bike-friendly services. The network already includes over 600 companies across Finland, and Päijät-Häme has nearly 30 participants. The badge can be applied for by accommodation providers, restaurants and cafés, bike rental operators, attractions, and transport services.

The release highlights Heinolan Siltasaari in Heinola as an example: its café will open for Easter and the entrepreneur Mikko Hallikas describes cyclists as a steadily growing customer group who easily stop there during rides. Hallikas says the badge has helped travellers recognize suitable places, and he notes that applying for it encouraged the café to add bike racks and install rental locking equipment, as well as stock cycling-focused items such as energy bars, plus tyre-repair and pump supplies. Visit Lahti also plans to gather the cycling tourism actors together to discuss summer plans, including a local information session scheduled for 17 April at the Lahti Ski Museum auditorium.