🚴‍♂️🌄 Cycling in the land of fjords: rules, routes, etiquette

This guide is for those who cycle every day and for month-long ‘nomads’: basic traffic rules, how to share space with pedestrians, where to plan safe routes in the capital region and the ‘technology capital’, as well as what to wear in rainy and slippery months.

📋 Basic rules (short and to the point)

• Ride in the direction of traffic and follow the signs. Riding is prohibited on motorways and roads/tunnels with a ‘no bicycles’ sign. Always give way to trams and buses when they are leaving a stop, if the speed limit is ≤ 60 km/h. Signal turns with your hand.
• At intersections, follow signs/traffic lights; the ‘right of way’ rule applies unless otherwise indicated.
• Lighting and equipment: in the dark/poor visibility — white/yellow light at the front, red at the rear; visibility of lights — up to ~300 m; flashing lights are permitted (≥ 120 flashes/min). The following are mandatory: a red reflector at the rear, reflectors on the pedals, a bell, two independent braking systems. Reflective clothing/elements are recommended.

Let's move on to the nuances of shared zones and pavements, where ‘pedestrian speed’ applies.

🚶‍♀️🚴 Pedestrian zones and shared paths — how to divide the space

On pavements, pedestrian paths and crossings, you can only ride when there are few pedestrians, without obstructing them and at a speed close to walking pace; when overtaking pedestrians, keep your distance. The current version of the rules specifies a guideline of ≈ 6 km/h when passing pedestrians. Ride in bike lanes on the right side, as indicated by markings/signs.

🗺️ Routes and planning: city rings and ‘green corridors’

• Oslo (capital region). Open the digital map of the city's bicycle network: it shows separate bike lanes, bike pumps and recommended areas for mixed traffic. For pleasant ‘green’ trips, there are ready-made Green Bike Routes (e.g. Frognerparken ↔ Frognerbekken; Brynseng → Grønland).
• Trondheim (technology capital). To get acquainted, try the City Center Loop and commuter loops along the waterfront; then check out the community maps/planners.
• Longer trips. Statens vegvesen has national cycle routes with GPX files — convenient to download to your navigator and select low-traffic roads.
• Planners. For safe urban tracks, try specialised maps such as sykkelveg.no (priority for cycling infrastructure) and the Grønne sykkelruter collection.

Next, let's talk about seasonality: how to survive rain and ice without surprises.

🌧️❄️ Seasonalit and safety: rain, wind, slippery conditions

• Rain/wind. Install mudguards, a waterproof bag/cover, and keep in a low gear in gusty winds. Improve visibility in autumn/winter with reflective elements on your clothing/backpack; keep your lights on at dusk and in wet weather.
• Tyres. In icy conditions and on packed snow, studded tyres are helpful (more stable braking and turning) — this is common practice in northern cities. They are harder to ride on clean asphalt, so adjust your riding style.
• Helmet. Wearing a helmet is recommended (for safety), but adult helmets are not required by law in the country.

📝 Mini checklist (quick route)

• Check the rules for your area/route and current restrictions (tunnels/bridges).
• Adjust your lights (front/rear), check your reflectors, bell and two brake systems.
• Choose a green track in the city and download GPX for long trips.
• In rain/snow — reduce speed, increase visibility, consider studded tyres.

Follow clear rules, plan routes through ‘green corridors’ and keep a ‘rain’ setup handy — this will make your daily trips here faster and safer.