By sustainable mobility we mean ways of travelling that reduce environmental load, promote health and increase comfort. 80 percent of Vaasa’s residents live within 5 kilometres of the city centre, so there are good conditions for developing sustainable mobility!
For the environment and health
Vaasa’s aim is to achieve carbon neutrality before 2030. Road traffic accounted for about 37 percent of Vaasa’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2024. Nowadays about one third of trips in Vaasa are made using sustainable modes of transport.
According to a study, a little over one third of the average Finn’s carbon footprint consists of emissions related to mobility (Sitra). By thinking about the sustainability of everyday trips you can, at best, save not only nature but also money and support your health.
Sustainable mobility in Vaasa
Walking is one of the most sustainable forms of mobility. Walking improves physical fitness, reduces air pollution and helps keep the city’s streets and sidewalks clean. In addition, walking offers the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and get to know the local surroundings.
Walking can also be combined with other sustainable modes of transport, such as using public transport. Did you know that a bus passenger takes about 1,200 more steps per day than a car driver?
The carbon dioxide emissions of diesel buses are less than 50% of those of passenger cars per person-kilometre. CO2 emissions can be reduced even further as gas and electric buses become more common. On the Lift public transport lines in the Vaasa region, 22 gas buses operate using biogas produced by Stormossen.
In 2023 Lift’s passenger numbers in the Vaasa region grew by 50% compared with the previous year. In that year a total of 1.8 million users boarded Lift.
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Vaasa is a bicycle-friendly city! The city has good cycle paths, totalling 179 kilometres, and cycling is quick in the city due to short distances. Did you know that 80% of Vaasa’s residents live within 5 kilometres of the city centre?
Commuting and school cycling
Often work and school trips under 5 kilometres are faster by bike than by car. From an environmental perspective and in terms of emissions-free travel, cycling is one of the best modes of transport. In addition, cycling is excellent incidental and everyday exercise.
Park in the bike garage
The glass-walled bike garage built in front of Vaasa railway station is a free and safe way to park your bike in the city centre! The camera-monitored garage offers a total of 156 bike spaces on two levels. The bike garage is located opposite the railway station, at the north end of Asemanpuisto. It is part of the expansion of Vaasa’s pedestrian city centre.
The garage operates automatically via a mobile app. See the garage’s user instructions and rules.
Get moving with a loan bike
Did you know that four bikes suitable for urban travel with helmets can be borrowed from Vaasa Main Library from the beginning of May until the end of September? Well, now you do!
The bicycles are located in front of the Drama Hall at the main library and are borrowed with a library card from the main library’s Info desk. The bicycle is returned in front of the Drama Hall at the end of the loan period and the bicycle key is taken to Info.
The loan period for a bicycle is up to 1 week.
Find out more about the bikes available for loan and the terms of use on the City of Vaasa Library’s page.
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Vaasa on two wheels
Hop on the saddle and join the road where every pedal stroke takes you toward a more carbon-neutral Vaasa, a more functional city and a more active lifestyle!