City on wheels: bike rental and bike paths in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim
Why renting a bike is the best city life hack
- You can get across the city centre in 10 minutes, which would take 20 minutes by car and include searching for parking.
- Price: You'll be earning your money back after just a couple of short trips with a 24-hour pass.
- You can't experience the smell of fresh buns on Karl Johans gate or the sound of the sea under Akershus Fortress on a tram.
Bysykkel 2025: what has changed
| City | Service | Cost for 24 hours | Cost for 30 days | Max cost per trip* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo | Oslo Bysykkel | 59 NOK | 169 NOK | 60 min |
| Bergen | Bergen City Bike | 49 NOK | 159 NOK | 45 min |
| Trondheim | Trondheim City Bike | 49 NOK | 159 NOK | 60 min |
* After exceeding the limit — 15 NOK for every additional 15 minutes.
Rules for cyclists in Norway
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Helmet | Recommended for all, mandatory for under 15 years (1,000 NOK fine). |
| Lights | White front light, red rear light & reflector after dusk; fine 1,200 NOK. |
| Traffic | Bike lanes have priority; on roads, keep right and follow car rules. |
| Pedestrian zones | Permitted at walking speed ≤ 6 km/h; walk bike on Karl Johans gate in summer. |
| Alcohol | Same 0.2 ‰ limit as cars; patrols can fine 3,000 NOK. |
Best city routes (map available in the app)
1 Oslo – "Fjord + Park" (17 km)
Oslo S → Opera → Akershus Fortress → Tjuvholmen → Kunstnernes Museum → Bygdøy (Maritime Museum) → Frognerparken Park with magnificent sculptures by Vigeland.
● Photo stops: Opera House roof (no driving allowed, but you can ride your bike), sunset at Aker Brygge.
● Coffee: Kaffebrenneriet Bygdøy allé — Bike Dock parking at the entrance.
2 Bergen – "Waterfront and Upper Town" (7 km)
Bryggen → Aquarium → Norges Park → Fløibanen funicular (bikes on the platform are free) → descent along the Fløysvingene trail back.
● Fløibanen ascent: from 11:00 to 15:00, only pedestrians are allowed; in the evening, it is less crowded.
● Rain? — Bergenshallen has a covered bike park with e-bike charging stations.
3 Trondheim – Nidelva River + History (12 km)
Nidaros Cathedral → Bakklandet Wooden Houses → the old Trampe bicycle lift (5-second ride) → Brattøra marina → Rockheim museum.
● Must-try: take a ride on the Trampe – children will love it, and adults will save their legs.
● Summer picnic: Marinen Park, free Wi-Fi, BBQ areas.
What to do if it rains (it will rain)
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Heavy rain | Use Bysykkel “breaks”: return the bike, take shelter in a café, and continue later at no extra charge. |
| Wet backpack | Oslo Bysykkel stations provide free disposable raincoats in the “Rain Kit” box. |
| Slippery tram tracks | Slow down before crossing and turn sharply at 90° to minimize slipping. |
| Windy waterfront | Stick to inner streets; avoid the exposed Aker Brygge pier. |
e-Bikes and cargo bikes
In Oslo and Bergen, some stations have e-bikes you can hire for 10 NOK per trip, which is great for getting up those hills. In Trondheim, Cargo Bikes (90 minutes free after booking) are being tested for families with children or groceries from Rema 1000.
“Three days without buses” financial calculator
| City | 3-day Bysykkel pass | Sample trips (6–7/day) | Savings vs daily ticket* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo | 169 NOK | 18 trips | Oslo Pass 72h 817 NOK → −648 NOK |
| Bergen | 159 NOK | 15 trips | Bergen Card 72h 740 NOK → −581 NOK |
| Trondheim | 159 NOK | 15 trips | 3×24h AtB 420 NOK → −261 NOK |
* If you don’t visit museums, the bike is more cost-effective; with the Oslo Pass, transport + museums often justify the ticket.
Ready to roll? Here’s your pre-ride ritual:
- Download the Bysykkel app and load up the map—no fuss, all flow.
- Helmet? Snag one free at any Bergen Bike station (safety’s always in style).
- Riding after 10 p.m.? Flip on your lights and glow on.
- Snap a quick pic of your parking code so you can dock and dash.
- Wondering what “sykkelfelt stengt” means? It’s just “bike lane closed” for marathons—Google has your back.
In Norway, the city-bike network is a love letter to movement: silky-smooth asphalt beneath your wheels, an app that whispers “free parking,” and delightful easter eggs like the Trampe lift. Hop on a Bysykkel, let the fjord breeze braid through your hair, conquer those hills to glimpse sun-kissed wooden rooftops, and experience Bergen in a way you’ve never known. God tur, sykkel!