October 9, 2020 - Population 681,000 – Oslo is a city to watch when it comes to cycling. In a scenario that will likely be familiar to many North American readers, Oslo laid out plans for a connected cycling network back in the 1970s, and subsequently spent decades not building it.

Then, in 2015, a new city council was elected and launched a series of bold plans, including a target of 25% of trips made by bike by 2025.

To achieve that target, Oslo started creating more space for cycling. About 700 car parking spaces have been removed and replaced with bike lanes, parks and seating. The car parking spaces that remain are mostly designated parking spots for people with disabilities and electric vehicle charging stations.

Oslo is a hilly city where the extra boost provided by an e-bike can be particularly helpful. Through the Climate and Energy Fund, residents can claim up to 20% on an e-bike purchase and up to 25% if they buy an electric cargo bike.

Oslo’s bike share system is also seeing increased use with bikes across the city’s 246 stations being accessed for nearly 3 million trips each year. A new pilot project aims to keep people cycling through the winter by providing 400 bikes with studded tires.

Many of these programs are being implemented in order to tackle Oslo’s poor air quality; however, they are also having a positive impact on road safety. Last year, Oslo reported zero pedestrian and cycling deaths.

Oslo was recently deemed a “rising star” and has jumped from #19 to #7 on the Copenhagenize Index.