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Addressing the policy blind spots: Age-inclusive and age-equitable outdoor spaces in the Nordic Arctic region
Bodil Hansen Blix, Anastasia Emelyanova, Agneta Larsson, Steinunn A. Olafsdottir, Arja Rautio · 2024 · Nordic countries
A research-based blog article highlighting gaps in Nordic ageing policies that overlook the specific needs of older adults in Arctic communities. Drawing on a policy review across Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, it identifies geographical, urban–rural and indoor–outdoor biases and calls for more inclusive policies that ensure accessible, safe and welcoming outdoor environments for older people.
- Planning & Design
- Policy, Strategy & Governance
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Research
Age-inclusive Arctic outdoor spaces: a policy review in four Nordic countries
Anastasia Emelyanova, Bodil H. Blix, Agneta Larsson, Steinunn A. Olafsdottir, Arja Rautio · 2024 · Nordic countries
A comparative policy review examining how national ageing strategies in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland address older adults' access to outdoor spaces in rural Arctic communities. The study identifies urban–rural, south–north, indoor–outdoor and generalisation biases that overlook the specific environmental and accessibility challenges of northern regions, calling for more geographically inclusive and age-sensitive policies.
- Planning & Design
- Policy, Strategy & Governance
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Research
Pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ route choice during winter conditions
Magne Fossum, Eirin Olaussen Ryeng · 2022 · Norway
This Norwegian study investigates how winter surface conditions and maintenance service levels influence route choices among pedestrians and cyclists. Combining surveys of 1,677 pedestrians and 736 experienced winter cyclists with a field experiment in Trondheim, the researchers found that 55.5% of pedestrians and 48.6% of cyclists sometimes or very often choose different routes in winter. Pedestrians were particularly concerned about slippery surfaces, while cyclists were more likely to avoid loose snow that makes cycling physically demanding. In the field experiment, snow and slush reduced pedestrian use of a route compared with bare pavement, but no statistically significant corresponding effect was identified for cyclists. The findings help winter maintenance authorities distinguish between pedestrian and cyclist needs when prioritising snow clearance, surface evenness and skid prevention.
- Maintenance & Operations
- Data & Monitoring
- Behaviour & Mobility Management
Research
Bicycle rolling resistance under winter conditions
Mathis Dahl Fenre, Alex Klein-Paste · 2021 · Norway
This Norwegian field study measured bicycle rolling resistance and cycling comfort across 103 road sections in Trondheim, covering different winter surface conditions and three maintenance standards. Rolling resistance increased with loose snow depth and surface unevenness, while smooth compacted snow offered relatively low resistance. Bare-road maintenance (GsA) generally provided lower rolling resistance and better cycling comfort than snow-covered road maintenance (GsB), particularly during and after heavy snowfall. The study demonstrates how objective rolling resistance measurements can help evaluate winter cycling conditions and maintenance performance.
- Maintenance & Operations
- Data & Monitoring
Dataset
Dataset - Rolling resistance and willingness to cycle
Mathis Dahl Fenre, Alex Klein-Paste · 2021 · Norway
A research dataset associated with a Norwegian study examining the relationship between bicycle rolling resistance under winter conditions and people's stated willingness to cycle. The underlying research combines responses from 1,318 survey participants evaluating photographs of winter cycling surfaces with rolling resistance measurements. The dataset provides an opportunity to explore relationships between winter surface quality, cycling preferences and user characteristics, supporting further research on winter cycling behaviour and maintenance standards.
- Data & Monitoring
- Behaviour & Mobility Management
Research
The effect of rolling resistance on people’s willingness to cycle during wintertime
Mathis Dahl Fenre, Alex Klein-Paste · 2021 · Norway
This Norwegian study examines how winter cycling surface conditions influence people's willingness to cycle, combining an online survey of 1,318 respondents with previously measured bicycle rolling resistance data. Willingness to cycle declined from 91.2% on surfaces with very low rolling resistance to 18.3% on surfaces with very high resistance. The findings suggest that perceived safety, surface unevenness and steerability are important barriers, rather than physical effort alone. Studded tyre users reported greater willingness to cycle in challenging conditions, while e-bike users showed no significant advantage. The study provides evidence for user-oriented winter maintenance standards and cycling infrastructure quality assessment.
- Maintenance & Operations
- Behaviour & Mobility Management
ResearchReport
Cyclists' Perceptions of Operation and Maintenance: Results from a Survey in Nine Urban Areas
Ole Aasvik, Torkel Bjørnsk · 2020 · Norway
A survey of 2,555 cyclists across nine Norwegian urban areas examining how infrastructure maintenance affects cycling conditions, safety perceptions and travel choices. The findings identify inadequate winter snow clearance, slippery conditions and differences between demographic groups, suggesting that improved maintenance could encourage more year-round cycling.
- Maintenance & Operations
- Data & Monitoring
- Behaviour & Mobility Management
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing
ResearchReport
How Do Pedestrians, Cyclists and Wheelchair Users Experience Operation and Maintenance?
Maja Helen Hagen, Ole Aasvik, Torkel Bjørnskau · 2020 · Norway
A qualitative study exploring how pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users experience the maintenance of walking and cycling infrastructure in four Norwegian cities. It highlights how inconsistent winter conditions, snow, slush and ice affect accessibility, perceived safety and travel decisions, particularly among older people and wheelchair users.
- Maintenance & Operations
- Behaviour & Mobility Management
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Research
Pedestrians' Perceptions of Operation and Maintenance: Results from a Survey in Nine Norwegian Cities
Ole Aasvik, Torkel Bjørnskau · 2020 · Norway
A survey of 2,745 pedestrians in nine Norwegian urban areas examining how infrastructure maintenance and winter conditions affect walking safety, accessibility and travel choices. The findings reveal particular challenges for older pedestrians and women, with 40% of respondents indicating they would walk more during winter if maintenance were improved.
- Maintenance & Operations
- Data & Monitoring
- Behaviour & Mobility Management
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing