Norwegian Property rolls out the future of bicycle parking with Norwegian technology

Norwegian Property, the owner of Martin Linges vei 33 at Fornebu, has entered into an agreement with Bikeloop to enhance bicycle parking security for their tenants' employees.

-This marks a technological shift in the real estate industry. We’re building more than racks — we’re building bicycle parking infrastructure, says Bikeloop founder Hedda Heyerdahl.

Customre and Leasing Manager Pål Magnus Nygård in Norwegian Property and founder Hedda Heyerdahl of Bikeloop. Photo: Katrine Lunde / Apeland

The need for bicycle parking has grown since the building was completed in 2012. Equinor, as a tenant, and its employees have been driving the push for more and better parking facilities for their bikes. Norwegian Property found the solution in the Norwegian company Bikeloop, which offers app-controlled access, reservation, charging, and notifications. The solution is also easily scalable. Phase one accommodates 50 bicycles, distributed across ten rooms with a digital setup.

It is Norwegian Property that has signed the agreement with Bikeloop for the bicycle rooms.

–The combination of more expensive bicycles and more employees cycling to and from work led us, together with Equinor, to find a secure solution that can be expanded as needed, says Pål Magnus Nygård, Customer and Leasing Manager at Norwegian Property. This solution is now being offered to all tenants in the building.

Bicycle facilities becoming more important

Sustainable mobility and quality bicycle amenities for employees have become increasingly important offerings for landlords. Secure bicycle parking in basements or outdoor areas, along with services like bike washing and changing rooms, are prerequisites for many when looking for new office space.

Bikeloop’s goal is to make everyday life easier and safer for cyclists with a solution that combines physical security with a modern digital interface. The company has developed physical parking stations and digital services that provide cyclists with this peace of mind. At Martin Linges vei 33 (ML33), employees gain access to the NEST solution – ten rooms accommodating up to 50 bikes. Space reservations, as well as unlocking and locking, are managed via a mobile app.

–This is an important and meaningful project for us. We’re proud to collaborate with Norwegian Property, a forward-thinking real estate player. They are investing in sustainable mobility, and Equinor – the largest tenant at ML33 – has many employees who bike to work daily. That they chose Bikeloop as their secure bicycle parking solution shows we are meeting a real need, says Hedda Heyerdahl, founder of Bikeloop.

 Rendering: Bikeloop

Cycling and public transport on the rise

Norwegian Property is a major property owner at Fornebu, with a total of three buildings.

-Fornebu’s location is ideal for physical activity to and from work. Travel habits have also changed in recent years, with many replacing car travel with public transport and cycling. When the Fornebu Metro Line opens in 2029, Oslo and Fornebu will be even more closely connected, and improvements to the bike path along the E18 will further enhance the cycling experience between the city center and these business premises. Access to both public transport and bike infrastructure is important for tenants – and we're already delivering on that, with even more improvements coming soon, says Nygård.

And it's not just the business sector recognizing the value.–SmartCity Bærum is proud that its long-standing collaboration with Bikeloop has helped scale the solution. NPRO’s establishment of 50 secure bike parking spaces outside ML33 shows how the private sector is leading the way in developing Fornebu. This makes it easier for people to choose cycling as their everyday mode of transport, says Anne Kristine Feltman of SmartCity Bærum.

Fear of theft is a real barrier to cycling

This initiative supports the National Transport Plan, which defines sustainable mobility as one of the three most critical efforts to achieve climate goals. E-bikes and cargo bikes are high-value items, and many people are hesitant to use them for commuting due to theft concerns. Insurance premiums are rising, and unsecured bike racks offer no real protection. –That’s where we come in. We offer a complete system for secure bicycle parking with complementary services that combine physical safety with digital control: users reserve a space, unlock and lock via the app, and receive alerts if the bike is moved. Administrators can manage access in real time, says Heyerdahl.

Political will for more cycling

The Bikeloop NEST solution, one of several offered by the company, is well suited for outdoor areas near commercial buildings, housing cooperatives, and other shared spaces that need secure bicycle parking.

–We’re seeing secure bicycle parking become increasingly important as more people commute by bike – especially since many invest in expensive bikes and cargo bikes. This is about safety, convenience, and practical support for green mobility, she adds.

Bikeloop’s solutions have attracted significant interest from property owners, housing cooperatives, and municipalities.–As bikes become more expensive and more people use them as their primary mode of transport, the need for safe and accessible parking is growing — everywhere, concludes Hedda Heyerdahl.