Large numbers of cyclists pass through the Arabia and Toukola seaside park daily, and the park is also a popular recreational spot especially for the residents of the surrounding area. The aim of the Arabianbaana project is to improve the flow of cycling traffic and the traffic safety of the entire seaside park. Once completed, Arabianbaana will be the park’s primary cycling route. Directing cycling traffic to a lane dedicated to it makes cycling in the area faster and easier and helps make the other park routes less busy.
The Arabia and Toukola seaside park is built on former seabed, and the area is prone to depressions and flooding. Technical studies will be carried out as part of the planning process, and their results will largely impact the Baana route’s implementation on the park’s weak soil.
In addition to these technical studies, the City is seeking input from the residents and other park users on the route options and other topics related to its planning.
Comment on the plan: take a survey or join a walk
The planning process is currently in the drafting phase, where the route options and their feasibility are being studied and compared. Citizens have the opportunity to influence the planning process by filling in a survey and taking part in a planning walk. The survey is open until 7 September (Link leads to external service) .
The walk will take place in the seaside park on 26 August from 17:00 to 18:30. We will start the walk at the Harppi ja tähdet (‘Compass and Stars’) sculpture at the southern end of Toukolan rantapuisto betweeen Roomankatu and Kyläsaarenkuja. The walk will proceed north through the seaside park to Matinkaari Bridge, and both route options will be reviewed. The walkers will stop at key locations to discuss topics related to the route planning.
The walk is open to all and can be joined without prior registration.
Arabianbaana as part of the Baana network
The drafting phase will be completed in autumn 2025, after which the route selected for further development will be presented at a public event. Information about the event will be released in the end of the year. The Arabianbaana master plan will be completed in early spring 2026. Arabianbaana will then move onto the next planning stage, where the construction details and technical solutions will be determined.
Arabianbaana will become the main link for cycling traffic between northeast Helsinki and the city centre and eastern inner city. In the Helsinki city plan, Baana has been designated to Toukola and Arabia seaside park.
Helsinki’s Baanas are cycling routes of the highest quality. They allow for smooth and steady cycling between the city centre, residential areas and key workplace areas. In the future, the Baanas will form a coherent regional network of cycle paths in Helsinki that will extend roughly 140 kilometres.
