Baana, a new pathway for pedestrians and cyclists in Helsinki.

Baana is a new pathway for pedestrians and cyclists in Helsinki, leading from the Western Harbour area to Kamppi and the Töölö Bay. Baana is built into a corridor below street level that served the freight rail connection between the former Jätkäsaari commercial harbor and the national railway network via the Helsinki railway station. Baana is 1.3 kilometres long and an average 15 metres wide. The widest point, 34 metres, is at the Maria Hospital. The pedestrian and bicycle lanes run side by side and are differentiated by colours: the bicycle lane is paved with reddish brown asphalt and the pedestrian lane with black asphalt. In addition to the end points, bicycle access to Baana is allowed by four evenly-spaced ramps and pedestrian access by five staircases from streets. Accessible entrances are placed at both ends and in the middle of the course.Baana is a pleasant green city milieu serving all of Helsinki, with 180 trees, 4,000 bushes and plenty of flowers. The rugged look is retained as a reminder of the corridor's history; the massive rock and stone walls flanking Baana date back one hundred years. Safety and comfort are created with lights, benches and environmental art, and there are facilities for various activities for basketball, table tennis and petanque. Together with the bicycle service centre in Kamppi, Baana further promotes bicycling in Helsinki, facilitating city centre bicycling. The service centre will offer bicycle storage, rental, instant repair and information.