Since 1973, Norges Bedriftsidrettsforbund (the Norwegian Business Sports Association) has encouraged citizens to commute by bicycle and choose green trips when running errands. As a result of this initiative, over a million Norwegians have taken part in their bike to work program.
Photo Source: bedriftsidretten.no
Born in the same year and soon turning 50 in July, Crown Prince Haakon celebrated the May Cycle to Work opener, commuting from his home, Skaugum, to the Castle and meeting up with representatives of Norges Bedriftsidrettsforbund along the way.
Statistics from the Norwegian Sports Academy and Folkehelseinstituttet (FHI) [The Norwegian Institute of Public Health] reveal that most Norwegians sit far too much. Increased activity prolongs and improves a person’s quality of life. Cycling to work not only boosts personal health and well-being, but lowers traffic on roads, which translates to lower carbon dioxide emissions.
The Cycle to Work program believes in rewarding good efforts by offering giveaways that inspire participation. Bike commuters join the program and track their bike trips. Participants with over 8 rides are entered for the chance to win prize drawings of cycling gear such as techy helmets and GPS watches.
It’s not only the city of Oslo that is in on the program – municipalities throughout Norway have signed agreements to make the bike to work incentive program free for residents. In addition, some companies subsidize employee participation in the program.
On Rådhusplassen, the plaza outside Oslo’s city hall, cyclists and various organizations like Syklistforeningen, the National Cyclists Association gathered on Cycle to Work Day for speeches by various cycling and green transportation groups. Transportation minister Jon-Ivar Nygård also spoke with the press, encouraging Norwegians to find more active routes to work, and to other destinations.
Years ago, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who also turns 50 in 2023, got in on the green campaign, not only biking to the castle, but challenging her husband to turn off his computer as an energy-saving measure. About this year’s 20 km (12.5 mile) ride to work, Crown Prince Haakon said: “It was nice to get going again. A super nice day to cycle to work.”