Norwegian Property is rolling out the future of bicycle parking with Norwegian technology

The need for bicycle parking has increased since the building was completed in 2012. Equinor, as a tenant, and their employees have been advocates for implementing more and better parking facilities for employees' bicycles. The solution was found by Norwegian Property from the Norwegian company Bikeloop, which provides app-controlled access, reservations, charging, and notifications. The solution can also be easily scaled. The first phase accommodates 50 bicycles, distributed over ten rooms with a digital solution.

It is Norwegian Property that has entered into the agreement with Bikeloop for the bike rooms.

– The combination of more expensive bicycles and more employees cycling to and from work led us, together with Equinor, to find a solution that is safe and can be expanded in line with the needs, says customer and rental manager Pål Magnus Nygård at Norwegian Property. This solution is now offered to all tenants in the building.

Bicycle facilities more important

Sustainable mobility and good cycling offers for employees have become increasingly important for landlords to provide. Safe bicycle parking in basements or outdoors, as well as offerings like bike washing and locker rooms, is a prerequisite for many when looking for new premises.

Bikeloop aims to make the cyclist's everyday life smarter and safer, with a solution that combines physical security and a modern digital solution. Therefore, the company has developed physical parking spaces and digital solutions that provide users with this safety. At Martin Linges vei 33 (ML33), employees have access to the NEST solution – ten rooms with space for up to 50 bicycles. Booking a spot, as well as unlocking and locking, is controlled via a mobile app.

– This is an important and meaningful project for us. We are proud to collaborate with Norwegian Property, which is a forward-looking real estate player. They focus on sustainable mobility, and Equinor – the largest tenant in ML33 – has many employees who cycle daily. That they choose Bikeloop as the solution for safe bicycle parking shows that we meet a real need, says Hedda Heyerdahl, founder of Bikeloop.

Bicycling and public transport are increasing

Norwegian Property is a significant property owner in Fornebu, with a total of three buildings.

– Fornebu is fantastically located and invites physical activity, both to and from work. In addition, travel habits have changed in recent years. Public transport and cycling have replaced travel by private car for many. When the Fornebubanen is ready in 2029, Oslo and Fornebu will be even more closely connected, and the upgrade of the bicycle path along the E18 will also enhance the cycling experience between the city center and the commercial properties here. Accessibility to both public transport and cycling is crucial for tenants. We are already delivering well on this, and soon it will get an additional boost, says Nygård.

And it's not just the business community that sees the value. – SmartCity Bærum is proud that the collaboration with Bikeloop over several years has contributed to scaling the solution. NPRO's establishment of 50 secure bicycle parking spaces outside Martin Linges vei 33 shows how the business community is taking the lead and paving the way in the development of Fornebu. This makes it easier for people to choose cycling as their mode of transport in everyday life, says Anne Kristine Feltman at SmartCity Bærum.

Fear of theft is a real barrier to cycling

The initiative supports the National Transport Plan, where sustainable mobility is defined as one of the three most important focus areas to reach climate goals. Electric bicycles and cargo bikes have high value, and many do not want to use them for work due to fears of theft. Insurance premiums are rising, and unsecured bicycle racks offer no safety.

– This is where we come in. We offer a complete system for safe bicycle parking with associated services that combine physical security with digital control: Users reserve a spot, unlock and lock via an app, and receive notifications if the bicycle is moved. Administrators can manage usage in real-time, says Heyerdahl.

Political desire for more cycling

The bicycle solution Bikeloop NEST, which is one of many solutions Bikeloop offers, is well suited for outdoor areas near commercial buildings, housing cooperatives, and other common areas in need of secure bicycle parking.

– We see that safe bicycle parking is becoming increasingly important, as more people cycle to work – especially when many invest in expensive bicycles and cargo bikes. This is about safety, comfort, and practical facilitation for green mobility, she says.

The solutions from Bikeloop have generated significant interest from property owners, housing cooperatives, and municipalities.

– As bicycles become more expensive and more people choose cycling as their daily means of transport, the need for safe and accessible parking is growing – everywhere, says Hedda Heyerdahl.