Tunturi bankruptcy stirs nostalgia in founding city Turku

The bankruptcy application filed this week by traditional bicycle and moped maker Tunturi has caused particular sadness in Turku, where the company was founded in 1922, Yle reports.

Although production moved to Hungary years ago, Tunturi premises have remained in Turku. The company’s bicycles and mopeds are still remembered warmly by residents, many of whom used them in the 1970s.

Tomi Kivekäs told Yle at Turku Market Square that he bought his first Tunturi bicycle at Kupittaa railway station in the 1970s. Bicycles and other products made in Turku were loaded onto trains there and transported around the world.

“My father worked at Kupittaa station. Through him, I was able to buy a steel-framed touring bicycle from a lorry driver at a good price,” Kivekäs recalled. He had just started his first job, at the Hamburger Börs hotel, aged 16.

Jukka Rouhiainen’s first summer job was also with Tunturi. He made and coated pull-up bars at the factory and was able to visit the bicycle plant.

The bankruptcy application did not surprise Rouhiainen, who said he had followed bicycle sales and Finland’s broader economic situation.

“It is really sad,” he said.

Katri Seppänen, who was visiting Turku Market Square with her old Tunturi bicycle, said she bought it nearly 30 years ago because the brand was known for being good and established.

“It has carried goods and children, and it has worked very well,” Seppänen said, describing the bicycle as sturdy and reliable.

Eurajoki club keeps the moped tradition alive

Tunturi Oy began manufacturing Tunturi mopeds in 1956. The vehicles later became known colloquially as Pappa-Tunturis.

Moped production ended in 1987, but the mopeds remain important nostalgic vehicles for many enthusiasts.

The chair of the Eurajoki Pappa Moped Club, Jari Syren, said his Pappa-Tunturi is still used every day.

“We were out riding together on Saturday, and we covered more than 60 kilometres,” Syren said.

The club, which has nearly 50 moped enthusiasts, is based at the Pappila mill in Eurajoki, where it has several restored Tunturi mopeds. Its volunteers also service and repair bicycles belonging to pupils and staff at schools in Eurajoki.

Syren said he valued Tunturi’s vehicles highly.

“These days you get the feeling that everything has to be made of plastic. Tunturi’s mopeds and bicycles are good, durable Finnish craftsmanship,” he said.