From dream to reality – she’s strengthening Linköping’s motorcycle culture

When Anna moved from a house to a flat in 2020, she quickly grew tired of keeping her motorbike in an open garage block and started dreaming of a proper garage. “I wanted a place that wasn’t just about the bikes, but also about the people behind them. A collective garage!” she explains warmly.

We talk about how Linköping is a strategically great place to live – whether you ride on track, on the road, or off-road. There’s the Sviestad Motor Track where license training, national championships in road racing, and the annual “Årsracet” are held, alongside motocross and enduro tracks. The range of riding types in such a compact area supports Anna’s vision of a diverse mix of motorbikes in the garage.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or a complete beginner – we help each other here. Everyone’s equally welcome, no matter what kind of motorbike you ride.” Asked what drives her, she says it’s all about building community and creating opportunities to share knowledge. Today, there are few places for motorcyclists to regularly return to year-round.

A place to tinker, learn and belong

Inside the garage, all kinds of bikes are lined up – some ready to ride, others still being worked on. A 65-inch TV hangs in the conference room, and the well-equipped kitchen with its large dining area gives off serious “hang out here!” vibes. It’s airy, modern and warm – claimed to be Linköping’s warmest bike garage in winter and the coolest in summer.

The space feels a bit like a youth centre – the kind many of us had access to in school. “Things happen here at all hours – the tenants have 24/7 access to the garage, and it’s not uncommon for someone to be stress-wrenching into the early hours,” she says with a laugh. “Or we’ll get together to watch MotoGP with food and drinks. How the tenants use their space is really flexible – people sort things out based on their individual needs. Some even use their spot as a full-on workplace.”

She also welcomes the curious – those who haven’t yet taken the leap into the motorcycle world. “As long as you share an interest in bikes, you’re more than welcome to come to our events, even if you don’t have your licence yet. It’s a chance to chat with experienced riders, sit on different bikes, get a feel for it all – and understand what this world is really about.”

Daring to follow your own path

Setting up a motorcycle garage, like many projects, was far from a straight road. Starting a business is a challenge in itself, and Anna says one of the biggest obstacles was dealing with unexpected resistance – sometimes from people she thought would be her biggest supporters.

She compares it to having kids: “You can never fully prepare yourself, but you figure things out along the way.” At the same time, she highlights how encouragement from people who believed in her idea – offering both practical help and moral support – was crucial: “That’s part of why the garage exists today. Listening to the right people has made all the difference.”

Anna also reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities women may face when starting businesses in male-dominated fields. “I’ve probably been questioned more – but I’ve also benefitted from standing out, so it’s gone both ways,” she says, without attaching judgment to it.

Her advice to anyone with a business idea or a dream project is:

1. Make a list: What matters to you? What do you want? How much time can you realistically invest?
2. Do the maths – create a budget.
3. Double-check that budget with the right person – someone with actual experience and knowledge in the area.

“It was really the garage that found me. In March 2022, I came across an ad online for this amazing space – it was the only place I went to see. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw the potential. I knew it was perfect.” In October 2022, the garage officially opened, and Anna is still surprised that her dream came true.

The future of TorneTech

Running a business and managing a garage takes more time than one might think, but it’s also expanded Anna’s network in ways she never imagined – through tenants and partners she might never have met otherwise.

“It’s an ongoing project – making sure people continue to enjoy being here, that new folks discover us, and that we attract more partners who might want to sell products here or give talks. And I really want more women in the garage – at the moment, I’m the only one!”

Today, Anna feels the garage is entering a new phase. The foundation is built – a social garage that offers real value to bikers. While she’s not ready to hand over the reins just yet, she’s open to different setups in the future.

She admits it would be amazing to run it with someone who complements her – someone to share ideas with and build on what’s already started. For the right person, even taking over the business could be a possibility.

“I imagine someone creative – skilled in social media, communication, PR – and I’d love to see someone with mechanical know-how, who uses TorneTech as their own workshop.”

It’s clear that size isn’t what matters most to Anna: “As long as people feel at home here, and find the sense of community they’re looking for – that’s enough for me.”

Owning your balance is owning responsibility

Single mum of two nearly-teenage kids. Full-time student. Part-time side jobs. Entrepreneur launching a garage. Sounds like a lot, right?

“Why do one thing at a time when you can do everything at once?” Anna laughs. “Finding balance is tough. Since starting the business and opening the garage, I’ve been constantly busy. You don’t just have balance – you make it. I tweak the hours and the time I have, and so far it’s worked out.”

Anna dreams of riding on track as often as possible, but acknowledges that time for track days is nearly non-existent. So she’s made a smart move – to swap her track bike for a sporty street bike, like an Aprilia RS660 or Yamaha R7, to maximise her riding opportunities. “That way, I can fit riding into everyday life – taking the kids to school, commuting to work, joining training sessions and track days at Sviestad.”

As our conversation wraps up, it’s clear that this garage is far more than a traditional storage space. It’s a place where motorcycles are a vehicle – not just for transport, but for joy, friendship, and mutual support. “Buying a bike was the best investment I’ve ever made in my life,” Anna says after a couple of hours reflecting on all the ups and downs her hobby has brought.

Through her work, she’s created one more space for bikes and bikers – a place where all are welcome, no matter where in Sweden they come from, to connect and strengthen the motorcycle community.