We are investigating using the City Bikes in Oslo. Is it fairly safe and easy to bike around town? How flat or hilly is it? We are planning to go out to Frogner Park and Ekeberg Park.
Posted by
Australia
999 posts
Frogner Park is very large so how hilly it will be depends on your route to get there and which entrance gate you choose. You can't ride your bike everywhere in the park. The main promenade where all the sculptures are is bike free.
Ekeberg park is on a very steep hill! (It has exceptional views over Oslo harbour.) The main road access to it is shared with a tram and didn't seem to have a dedicated bicycle lane. To enjoy cycling up that hill you either need an electric bike or to be Tadej Pogacar! We caught the tram and felt like it was struggling to make it up the hill.
In comparison with other European cities there seem to be very few cyclists in central Oslo. Some of the streets are quite narrow and are shared with trams. This cycling guide might be helpful - https://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?tlp=5397653&name=Green-Bike-Routes-Frognerparken-and-Frognerbekken
Posted by
Washington DC
27369 posts
I'd agree that Ekeberg Park would be a very challenging bicycling environment. It was also one of only two places in Norway where I really needed cash during my 2022 trip--for the public toilets. That may have changed by now, of course.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
277 posts
We took a city bike tour (https://vikingbikingoslo.com/) all over Oslo last summer and felt is was very bike friendly. In Frogner Park we had to park our bikes at a designated spot then walked around. Ekeberg Park was the most hilly of the whole ride but not bad in my opinion. It was really an enjoyable day and a great way to see the city.