Oslo citizens have a lot to be proud of, and cycling opportunities are just one of the city's assets.
The relatively modest distances between Oslo's major hubs and sights of interest make cycling a superb means of transport and a fine way to explore the city. Using a bicycle to cover distances of up to three or four kilometres is frequently just as fast as, if not faster than, using public transit.

If you want to discover attractions, explore nature, or just get a little exercise, Oslo has a wide selection of fine cycling rides and trips. Depending on your wishes, you can choose from easy trips with almost no inclines to laborious, difficult cross-country cycling in the hilly countryside around Oslo. A visit to the museums at Bygdøy is an example of an easygoing, splendid cycling trip.
Some of Oslo's best features include the abundance of touring options on car-free or only lightly trafficked roads, even in areas near the city centre. Just seek and you will find many touring routes: along the sea and rivers, around lakes and through parks and civilised countryside.

Cycling within Ring 2

Over the last decade, a great effort has been made to improve cycling conditions, including in the centre of Oslo, and many places have separate cycle tracks along the road or street or cycle lanes on the roadway itself, making two-wheeled transport a safer alternative. Markveien, Torggata, Rådhusgata, Ullevålsveien and Frognerstranda are examples of streets and roads that have been adapted for cycle traffic. Several intersections also have separate traffic lights for cyclists. Pedestrian streets are also cycling alternatives, but here cyclists are required to show consideration for pedestrians by cycling slowly.
The route north along Akerselva River is worth mentioning as it is probably the finest car-free method of leaving the centre of Oslo.

Cycling in the Forest

If longer, more demanding trips are preferred, you don't need to travel any further than Sognsvann Station (line 3, a 20-minute train-ride from the city centre) before a wide variety of cycling opportunities on gravel roads and trails are available. Here you will discover network of gravel roads offering many miles of cycling pleasure.
As an extra motivating factor for cycling in the countryside, several forest inns (such as Ullevålsseter, Kikut and Rustadsaga) serve coffee, pastries and other refreshments.
Other relevant points of departure for cycling through the countryside include Grorud Station (line 5) and Ulsrud or Skullerud Station (southbound line 3). You pay the price of a child's ticket to convey your cycle on Oslo's tram system.

Map

A map always comes in handy, both while planning and making a trip. A good map to start with is "Greater Oslo" (Stor-Oslo, scale 1:25,000, published by Cappelen) covering an area from Bjørndal in the south to Frognerseteren in the north. The map shows useful features such as pedestrian streets, tram lines, many hiking trails and cycling routes and the most important sights of interest. Two other useful maps are "Nordmarka sommer" (1:50,000) and "Østmarka", (1:50,000), both published by Statens kartverk.
A free cycling map of Oslo is also available at tourist information offices or by visiting www.oslosykkelkart.no

Season

The length of Oslo's cycling season varies, depending on how much clothing you feel like putting on before you venture forth, but the asphalt roads are usually clear and safe from about 1 April to 1 December.
In the Oslomarka countryside, the gravel roads are not usually dry till the last half of May and trails are usually dry around 1 June.

Hiring Cycles

The simplest way to borrow a cycle in Oslo is to use the City Cycle Scheme. By paying an annual subscription you get access to many cycle stands around the city and more than 1000 cycles that can be borrowed for three hours at a time. A special electronic tourist card can be rented for one day (for a deposit) at tourist information offices. Season: Easter to roughly 1 December. www.oslobysykkel.no
If you prefer cycling in the hills surrounding Oslo, Skiservice AS has good mountain bikes for hire. www.skiservice.no

Further Details

The Norwegian Cyclists' Association (Syklistenes landsforening, tel. +47 2247 3030), located in Operapassasjen at Youngstorget, has further details, as well as maps and a variety of useful cycling equipment and clothing. www.slf.no

Further information on cycling trips and rides is available on www.skiforeningen.no.

More info on cycling possibilities, trips and tips is available in the book, "På sykkel i Oslo" (Cycling in Oslo, by Øyvind Wold, Norwegian only).