This is Metsokangas elementary school in the far suburbs of Oulu . It was -31°C in the morning (-40° windchill). What you see here is just 1 of the 4 parking lots for students. It's not about the cold, it's the safe infrastructure & excellent maintenance. No rocket science. #MeanwhileInOulu #Oulu 1/ - ThreadSky

pekkatahkola.bsky.social • 407 days ago

This is Metsokangas elementary school in the far suburbs of Oulu . It was -31°C in the morning (-40° windchill). What you see here is just 1 of the 4 parking lots for students. It's not about the cold, it's the safe infrastructure & excellent maintenance. No rocket science.
#MeanwhileInOulu #Oulu
1/

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strick99.bsky.social•40 days ago

Hallo, I just had a look at where Oulu is, that’s getting up there. I used to winter cycle commute in the Canadian Rockies, and found that by about-28c the derailleur jockey wheels became hesitant to roll smoothly. It was good fun nonetheless though.

pekkatahkola.bsky.social•407 days ago

You'll see all possible types of bikes. Regular upright single speeds, granny bikes, mountain bikes, even an occasional fatbike and an e-bike. Anything that moves, works. There's absolutely no need for any special gear. It's quite rare to even see any studded tires. 4/

ishnuvalok.bsky.social•98 days ago

I do think studded tires make a big difference and should be recommended, particularly in regions that see constant freeze-thaw cycles like in my native Halland county, Sweden.

originalaurelia.bsky.social•90 days ago

Yes, or at least really grippy fat winter tires. I know people think encouraging safety equipment or safe practices will create a barrier to cycling more. But it doesn’t

pekkatahkola.bsky.social•90 days ago

What ever makes one feel more comfortable, confident, fun, etc on a bike. All great, just go for it. But there's a fine line in pushing that to people and making them think you can't or shouldn't pedal without them. That's when it may become a barrier.

originalaurelia.bsky.social•90 days ago

Maybe, but someone just designing better, warmer helmets would be brilliant. Helmets for summer needed vents, now enclosed helmets for winter or ones with some sort of thin wind cover for the top and thin warm toque or balaclava for under would help.

tucmo.bsky.social•407 days ago

Studded tires are not necessary when the winter is on properly.

It’s the transitions that are the most slippery.

pekkatahkola.bsky.social•407 days ago

This school has been so immensely popular that they've had to expand it many times. Naturally with bike parking. A lot of it. Winter and weather are not the issues. Kids will cycle and walk when you give them safe opportunity to do so.
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kartographde.bsky.social•90 days ago

Ich bin 30 Jahre lang ganzjährig, auch bei Schnee und Eis, #mdRzA gefahren.

Ich sag's mal so: Schnee und Eis waren nie das Problem.

pekkatahkola.bsky.social•407 days ago

Safe infrastructure means you can safely approach a school from all possible directions. On dedicated, segregated paths and you almost never need to cross a street. Thus, we obviously need bike parking in every direction, around the school at separate entrances.
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tarnado.bsky.social•406 days ago

Amen

polyyuri.bsky.social•22 days ago

Hey, would you perhaps have any recommendations for youtube channels outside of North America?

I do know of https://www.youtube.com/@hereinhelsinki

rosyf.bsky.social•71 days ago

I attended Limingan Lukio for a year and can confirm: biking at extremely low temps is the way! -36C was the lowest day temp that winter and it was a normal school day

soapytater.bsky.social•99 days ago

Sunny and warm, Minnesota, get out there folks

soapytater.bsky.social•99 days ago

Minneapolis has great bike infrastructure, and getting better

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