Sunday’s march on wheels started at Kiasma Museum in downtown Helsinki around noon. According to police and organiser estimates, some 850 cyclists participated.
During their procession, a bus tried to merge into the same lane as the cyclists, causing some of the group to fall. A few of the cyclists confronted the bus driver and strong words were exchanged, leading to a confrontation.
According to the Helsinki Police, the confrontation between the bus driver and one of the cyclists escalated after the bus driver in his anger threw another demonstrator's bike under an adjacent bus. One of the cyclists reacted by taking the keys from the bus driver's hand. which led to blows between them.
The incident blocked traffic on Helsinki's Mannerheimintie for some time.
The coach carrier Pohjolan Liikenne, owned by VR Group, admits that the driver is an employee of their company.
"A very unfortunate situation, and we are pleased to hear that the authorities will investigate the incident thoroughly. Traffic safety is our number one priority here at Pohjola Liikenne. There should be enough room for everyone on the roads," says the company's managing director, Heikki Alanko.
Police are investigating the incident
The police are now investigating the run-in as a possible case of traffic endangerment on the bus driver's part, as well as mild property damage and assault. The cyclist that stole the driver's keys is also suspected of disturbing traffic. Interviews with the parties to the conflict and eyewitnesses will follow.
Participants in the demonstration were clearly shocked to witness yet another instance of road intolerance, especially because the demonstration was specifically arranged in memory of a cyclist who died as the result of road rage on Wednesday.
One of the participants, Tuomo Roine, said Sunday’s accident is exactly the type of behaviour they were trying to protest.
Bikers in Kuopio and Turku staged similar events in support of bicycle and traffic safety on Sunday.
