The police intervened in illegal riding on pavement and carrying passengers

The police monitored the safety of unprotected traffic throughout Finland over a period of three weeks from 12 May to 1 June 2025. The surveillance focused on the riding of bicycles, light electric vehicles and mopeds. With regard to cars and other heavier vehicles, special attention was paid to compliance with the rules concerning pedestrian crossings.

The most common offences committed by those driving light electric vehicles were riding on the pavement and transporting a passenger. The most common offence by cyclists was riding on the pavement. The most common offences in riding a moped were the condition and structure of the moped and a missing driving licence.

A total of 333 riders of light electric vehicles and 344 cyclists were given a pecuniary penalty for riding on the pavement. 349 persons using light electric vehicles and 44 cyclists were given a pecuniary penalty for carrying passengers. Four riders of light electric vehicles endangered traffic safety while intoxicated, and six riders of light electric vehicles were guilty of operating a non-motorised vehicle under the influence of alcohol. 18 riders of light electric vehicles failed to stop at a red traffic light and received a pecuniary penalty for this. The corresponding number of cyclists was 25. Nine tuned-up light electric vehicles were found.

“Riding a bicycle or light electric vehicle on the pavement is unfortunately commonplace and imposes a clear risk to the safety of both pedestrians and those riding on the pavement,” says Chief Superintendent Tuomo Katajisto of the National Police Board

For non-compliance with the traffic rules concerning pedestrian crossings, 54 drivers of cars or similar vehicles were given a pecuniary penalty.
Four drunk riders of mopeds were found in the surveillance campaign, 135 persons lacked a sufficient driving licence, and 137 holders of a driving licence were temporarily banned from driving.

Unnecessary or disruptive driving was intervened in on 49 occasions and other violations of traffic rules on 103 occasions. Other instances discovered were two illegal loads of persons, 26 safety helmet violations, 63 ineffective sound absorbers, 118 vehicles of modified class and 439 vehicles in non-compliant condition.

“The number of tuned-up mopeds encountered during the surveillance was still surprisingly high, and there were far too many other defects in the condition of mopeds. If we have to look for something positive, it is perhaps the fact that ‘only’ four intoxicated moped riders were found,” Tuomo Katajisto says.