A bicycle (polkupyörä/pyörä in Finnish) is a very practical and popular form of transportation in Finland, and there are plenty of paved cycle tracks. Cycling is also a good way to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Please remember that when your bike is parked or not in use, you should always lock it, and preferably fasten it to a bicycle rack or some other solid structure. Please note that it is compulsory to use a head light on your bike when cycling in the dark. Wearing a helmet can save you from a serious brain damage so please instead of thinking how stupid the helmet looks on you, think how stupid you will look when lying in the intensive care.
Places to buy and sell second-hand bikes in Joensuu:
- “Buy and sell crap in Joensuu” in Facebook
- KISA (Kuopio International Student Association) Student Marketplace in Facebook
- Second-hand shops on-line: Kuopion kirppari (only in Finnish) ja www.tori.fi
Bicycle repair shops, second-hand shops and other students sometimes sell cheap second- hand bikes. In addition, there is an auction of lost and found items at the local police station (held a few times a year), where you may find a decent bicycle at a reasonable price. Since the auction is carried out in Finnish only, please ask a fellow Finnish student to accompany you. Information on the auctions (in Finnish only).
In Joensuu you can also rent a bike from the Community Resource Centre Citizen’s House (Kansalaistalo)
In order to drive a car in Finland you need to be at least 18 years old and you must have a valid driver’s licence. If your driver’s licence is from one of the EU or EEA member countries, it is valid in Finland as long as the license remains valid. In addition, the licences from Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention countries, such as Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey and the United States of America, are valid for two years, after which these citizens have to acquire a Finnish driver’s licence. Driver’s licences from other countries are not valid in Finland.
Useful websites:
- Driving in Finland (pdf)
- Finnish Road Safety Council → Traffic regulations in Finland
- Driving in Finland / VisitFinland
Please note the following regulations of driving in Finland:
- Seatbelts are obligatory for everyone whether sitting in the front or the back seats in the car. Children under three years of age must be seated on the back seat on a safety seat.
- Headlights are compulsory at all times around the clock.
- Winter speed limits are in force throughout the country from the beginning of November to the end of February. However, the limits can be lowered already in October and they can remain in force through April due to exceptional road weather conditions.
- Winter tires are mandatory from the beginning of December until the end of February.
- If a mobile phone is used by a driver, a hands-free device is required. According to the Finnish law, a driver is allowed to neither use nor hold a mobile phone in hand while driving.
- There is an obligatory annual inspection for cars in Finland. After every inspection, the driver receives an inspection card that states the condition of the car as well as any defects requiring service or repair.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. There is an exact permissible limit of 0.5 per mil for alcohol in blood. A police officer can breathalyse a driver on the spot and if suspected of driving under the influence, a person may be taken to a blood test or to a police station. Driving while under the influence of drugs is also a crime. Infringement of this rule means a penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment.
Most of the cities have metered parking areas. However, sometimes parking is free but parking time is limited. In this case, you need a parking disc, which can be obtained at petrol stations and grocery stores. The time of arrival must be set first and the parking disc must be displayed on the dashboard. The time of arrival is the following hour or half-hour depending on which one is earlier.
Please note that parking on campus is subject to fees. UEF staff and students can get a parking permit via an online system.
In order to rent a car you need a valid driver’s licence and preferably at least one year of driving experience. Rental companies require the driver to be at least 20 years of age for passenger cars, but age regulation may vary by vehicle category. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Please also note that some car rental companies may require a credit card. Be prepared to show proof of your identity when renting a car.
Some car rental companies