In January, Bikeloop invited the real estate industry to a breakfast to discuss how they can meet government requirements for bicycle parking while creating attractive, user-friendly, and secure solutions for tenants and employees. Topics covered included Oslo Municipality's work on bicycle parking, the challenges of increasing bicycle theft, tenants' needs and expectations, and the upcoming EU regulations that will impact how commercial buildings must accommodate cycling.
INVITED THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY: There were presentations and discussions on bicycle parking requirements and how to create attractive and secure bicycle parking solutions for employees and tenants. Mona Elisabeth Gladhus from Bikeloop. acted as the facilitator during the breakfast.
A comprehensive solution for modern buildings
Hedda Heyerdahl, founder of Bikeloop, highlighted how property owners can use bicycle parking strategically to enhance the attractiveness of their buildings.
-By offering smart and secure bicycle parking, your property can attract more desirable tenants, reduce the need for costly car parking, and improve its ESG profile. Sustainability is not just good for the environment – it’s good business, said Heyerdahl.
She presented Bikeloop’s comprehensive solution for the real estate industry, which includes space-saving and flexible bicycle parking systems, an app that makes it easy for tenants to find and use the parking, as well as data and analytics providing insights into usage and capacity needs.
Additionally, she introduced Bikeloop LINK, a solution that makes any door - whether entrance doors, storage doors, garage doors, or bike rooms - smarter and more user-friendly.
-With LINK, you have full control over who has access, which bikes are being used, and you can easily facilitate payments. This increases both security and control while also creating strong profitability, Heyerdahl explained.
Hedda Heyerdahl pointed out that an increasing number of commercial buildings see bicycle parking as a value-adding factor, not just a requirement they need to meet.
Growing need for better bicycle parking
The Agency for Urban Environment provided an update on bicycle parking in Oslo and highlighted key challenges. A recent survey shows that as many as 47% of residents cite fear of theft as a barrier to cycling, and 52% would cycle more if there were better facilities at their workplace.
"In many places, bicycle parking is poorly adapted to users' needs. We also see that the issue of responsibility for bicycle theft remains unclear," said Kim André Åtland from the Agency for Urban Environment.
Åtland emphasized that good bicycle parking should be secure, user-friendly, and close to the entrance to create a seamless experience for cyclists.
Better parking can increase cycling and health benefits
The Institute of Transport Economics (TØI) presented findings from a large population survey showing that more people would cycle if bicycle parking were safer and more accessible.
-Six out of ten cyclists in Oslo have experienced bicycle theft. This discourages many from choosing cycling as their mode of transport, said Kjell Vegard Weyde, researcher at TØI.
Mellomrom Architecture Psychology was represented by Sunniva Marie Eriksen Hustoft, team leader for workplace advisors. She pointed out that good cycling infrastructure is not just about facilities but also about workplace culture and habits.
-To create offices that people want to cycle to, we need to talk to the people it affects and work strategically and systematically to change habits. Workplace leaders in Norway can play a key role in driving this change, said Hustoft.
She highlighted the health benefits of increased cycling:
-The result? Better employee health, lower absenteeism, and higher productivity!
It was also noted that tenants and employees are increasingly demanding secure indoor parking with easy access and additional amenities such as charging stations for e-bikes and locker rooms.
Kjell Vegard Weyde, researcher at TØI, and Sunniva Marie Eriksen Hustoft from Mellomrom Architecture Psychology.
What should property owners prepare for?
Silje Sund, partner at the law firm Schjødt, addressed the legal requirements for bicycle parking and upcoming EU regulations.
-The new EU regulations will require commercial buildings with more than 20 parking spaces to allocate at least 15% of the capacity for bicycle parking. For residential properties, the requirement will be two bicycle spaces per housing unit, explained Sund.
She also emphasized that Oslo Municipality's current parking standards set clear quality requirements: at least 50% of bicycle parking spaces in larger buildings must be indoors, covered and illuminated.
REQUIREMENTS FOR BICYCLE PARKING: Silje Sund discussed the legal requirements.
From requirements to competitive advantage
With increasing demands from both authorities and tenants, bicycle parking is becoming an increasingly important factor for property owners looking to attract modern, sustainable businesses.
-We make it easy to integrate this into existing buildings and new projects, concluded Heyerdahl.
Bikeloop continues to develop smart and secure solutions. The goal is to make it easier for cyclists to park – and for developers and property owners to meet the requirements in an attractive way.
DEBATE ON REQUIREMENTS AND NEEDS FOR SECURE BICYCLE PARKING: From left: Kim André Åtland from the Agency for Urban Environment, Hedda Heyerdahl from Bikeloop, Sunniva Marie Eriksen Hustoft from Mellomrom Architecture Psychology, Kjell Vegard Weyde from the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI), Silje Sund from the law firm Schjødt, and Mona Elisabeth Gladhus from Bikeloop.
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