Shared-use pathFinland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Finland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


7. Shared-use path

A shared-use path is a path or part of a road intended for use by both pedestrians and cyclists. Unlike facilities where pedestrians and cyclists have clearly separated sections, users of a shared-use path normally travel within the same general space.

Because users may travel at very different speeds, cyclists should approach pedestrians carefully, adapt their speed and leave sufficient space when passing. The permitted users, priority rules and any speed restrictions depend on the local traffic signs and regulations.

Shared-use path
Snow-covered pedestrian path sign. (Ruka, Finland)
Wikimedia.org • Timo Newton-Syms • CC BY-SA
What does Finland call a shared walking and cycling path?

The official term is yhdistetty pyörätie ja jalkakäytävä. The blue circular sign combines pedestrian and bicycle symbols without allocating separate side-by-side sections. A sign with a dividing line indicates a different, divided arrangement.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 13, 18, 29; Annex 3 D4–D7

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

Mandatory shared pedestrian and cycle path. Mandatory shared pedestrian and cycle path.

English • Traffic sign D6 • Combined cycle path and footpath. Cyclists and pedestrians travelling in the relevant direction must use it. Otherwise the provisions for D4 and D5 apply.

Suomi • Liikennemerkki D6 • Yhdistetty pyörätie ja jalkakäytävä. Merkillä osoitetaan yhdistetty pyörätie ja jalkakäytävä, jota polkupyöräilijän ja jalankulkijan on käytettävä kulkiessaan asianomaiseen suuntaan. Muuten on pyörätiestä ja jalkakäytävästä voimassa, mitä merkeistä D4 ja D5 säädetään.

Svenska • Vägmärke D6 • Kombinerad cykel- och gångbana. Märket anger en kombinerad cykel- och gångbana som cyklister och gående ska använda vid färd i riktningen i fråga. I fråga om cykelbanan och gångbanan gäller i övrigt det som föreskrivs om märkena D4 och D5.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.4 (FI)

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.4 (SV)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia original
Republic of Finland • Public domain • Original revision 2020-06-13. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Must walkers and cyclists use a designated Finnish combined path?

Yes, when travelling in the relevant direction, subject to the applicable statutory exceptions. The combined-path sign applies the relevant pedestrian-path and cycle-path rules. It does not reserve the entire surface solely for faster cycling traffic.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 13, 18, 29; Annex 3 D4–D7

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

Which side should pedestrians use on a Finnish shared walking and cycling path?

Pedestrians using a cycle path must generally keep to an edge; either edge can be used. Finland does not impose a universal left-side walking rule on every combined path. Cyclists should expect walkers at either edge and pass safely.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 13, 18, 29; Annex 3 D4–D7

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

1 Finland 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Footpath 7 Shared-use path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Pedestrian zone 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Priority road 19 Railway crossing 20 School area 21 Crossing animals 22 Wrong-way driving 23 Roadworks 24 Height limit 25 Weight limit 26 Radar speed sign 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Driving licence 30 Countdown markers 31 International border 32 Cycling route 33 Parking 34 No parking 35 Parallel parking 36 Parking disc 37 Reversing 38 Uncontrolled crossroad 39 Verge 40 City limit 41 Licence plate 42 Charging station 43 Dangers 44 Pedestrian 45 Cyclist 46 Moped 47 Bus 48 Police 49 Ambulance 50 Tram lights 51 European emission standard 52 Pothole 53 Path 54 Particulates 55 Air pollution 56 Rush hour 57 Road code 58 Two-way traffic 59 Street gutter 60 Cargo bike 61 Forestry vehicle 62 Construction vehicle 63 Semi-trailer truck 64 Trolleybus 65 Speed pedelec 66 Delivery vehicle 67 Idling 68 Tow truck 69 Four-wheel drive 70 No vehicles 71 Bicycle 72 Motorcycle equipment 73 Rail track 74 Caravan 75 Trailer 76 Tow hitch 77 Fire truck 78 Siren 79 Convoy 80 Emergency vehicle lighting 81 Agricultural machinery 82 Electric bicycle 83 Electric vehicle 84 Pedelec 85 Quadricycle 86 Microcar 87 All-terrain vehicle 88 Van 89 Recreational vehicle 90 Scooter 91 Trikke 92 Personal mobility device 93 Skateboard 94 Segway 95 Kick scooter 96 Roller skates 97 Mailman 98 Hitchhiker 99 Toddler 100 Child ...