This month, we caught up with Mikko Ampuja, co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer of bike leasing company Vapaus and newly appointed Vice-Chair of CIE’s recently established Leasing Expert Group. He shares his thoughts on the future and challenges of the cycling industry.
Mikko, can you tell me more about Vapaus and your role?
I’m one of the three founders of Vapaus, a bike leasing company operating in Finland and Sweden. We lease bikes as an employee benefit, like company cars, but with far greater environmental and health benefits. We started the company because we see bicycles as the solution to many modern challenges. They are affordable, environmentally friendly, and great for health and happiness. We currently have around 50 employees and will expand to new markets next year.
As a company, we focus on circular economy principles. Most leasing companies prefer the security of long-term, often strict contracts, such as 36 months for bike leases. However, when we started, we realized that offering flexible returns at any time (for a fixed fee) would add value for our customers, for us, and for the environment. Through our “pre-cycled” shop, we resell returned bikes, ensuring they find active users. We believe it’s better to find a user because that’s where the positive impact is: people who cycle and replace car rides.
Leasing is also beneficial because it packages everything you need, including insurance and servicing. We take care of everything to help you get cycling. And with the support of our in-house product and technology team, we create the best possible customer experience.
For the first six years, I served as CEO, during which time we experienced significant growth in Finland. Last year, we welcomed our first external CEO, Tero Era, and now I focus on expanding Vapaus into new markets.
What cycling trends are you most excited to see by the year 2030? And by 2050?
By 2030, the rise of e-bikes is what excites me most. E-bikes have proven to be fantastic substitutes for short car rides. One thing that frustrates me is how many modern businesses focus on making our lives more convenient. That sounds great, but the result is that we hardly need to move anymore. You can work remotely, order food online, watch movies at home, and, if you do go somewhere, you sit in a car.
But physically and mentally, we’re still not that far removed from cave people. I’m excited to see how urban planning will develop to support the need for physically active lifestyles, which are essential for happiness and health. This isn’t just about the environment but also about improving everyone’s quality of life. That’s the change I want to see. Mobility, especially active mobility, is vital and shouldn’t be limited to electrified modes.
By 2050, I’d like to see mobility as a service become the norm, where people access shared resources like e-bikes and cars rather than owning them. Think about it, a car is used less than 5% of the time, and the other 95% it just sits in the garage. A mobility-as-a-service model would make much smarter use of our resources, but it’s a shift that will take time since people still like having their own stuff.
What do you see as a major challenge in the cycling industry, and how can Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) play a role in overcoming that challenge?
A major challenge is that cycling still is often not recognised as a serious mode of transportation, equal to cars or public transport. In cities where cycling is taken seriously, data is collected to analyse bicycle usage, but there’s no nationwide quality data. This gap makes proper investments nearly impossible. Without data, how can you invest in cycling? And without investment in cycling and data collection, the data needed for smarter future decisions won’t exist.
Whenever we discuss developing mobility, whether in or outside cities, cycling must be part of the conversation. CIE can play a key role in promoting cycling as an equal mobility solution and continuing efforts to improve cycling data collection.
What or who in the cycling industry inspires you, and why?
My daughter inspires me, and she was one of my main motivations to start Vapaus. When she was born, I was still working as a consultant. Her arrival made me reflect on my role in society and what I wanted to contribute. I couldn’t bear the thought of her one day asking me tough questions like, “Hey dad, what did you do during the climate crisis?” That’s when I decided to quit my job.
For my daughter, cycling is simply a way to get everywhere in the city. I love that she enjoys it and isn’t getting into the habit of sitting in a car for even the shortest trips.
Another inspiration is my friend Matti Koistinen, who co-founded the Finnish Cycling Association. He and his family do so much by bike, even taking their bikes on trains to explore new places. They’ve shown me that you can live a great life on bikes.
Can you describe in around five words how cycling is saving the world?
Cheap, healthy, and happy.
Where do you recommend our readers to go cycle?
I recommend cycling to your nearest shop or wherever you need to go. Build the habit of using your bike for daily errands. I’m an everyday commuter, and for me, cycling is invaluable. It’s the fastest, most fun, and most sustainable way to get around.