If you plan on staying in the Netherlands for more than just a short vacation, buying a bicycle is a must.  Well, perhaps you can borrow one from a friend if you don’t need it for too long, but most of us eventually had to endure that complicated task of finding the right bicycle at the right price and from the right person.  So where to begin?

When buying a bicycle, you need to make sure you purchase from someone reputable.  Bicycle theft is a huge problem in this country, most especially in larger cities.  It is illegal to PURCHASE a stolen bicycle.  If you buy a bicycle from a person standing on the corner, assume it’s been stolen.  If a police officer sees the transaction or the bicycle is being looked for by them, you can be arrested for purchasing it.

Purchasing a bicycle from a store is no guarantee that it wasn’t stolen, but it probably covers your back better than buying off the street.  As far as the law is concerned, you should be able to assume that purchasing a bicycle from a shop is legal, therefore you are less liable.  There are plenty of shops to choose from, and many of them carry used and/or refurbished bicycles as well.  This doesn’t mean they are cheap, but they are cheaper than buying new.

Another great place to buy a bicycle is the internet.  Craigslist is very popular in some countries, but it just hasn’t caught on in the Netherlands.  On Craigslist you might find a bicycle advertised by a foreigner getting rid of their bicycle after a short stint in the Netherlands.  On the other hand, because it is not as popular, you might find people selling stolen bicycles on Craigslist.  Watch out!  If you are purchasing a bicycle and the seller says something like, “I don’t have a phone number but if you show up at 12 noon on Dam Square on the second Tuesday of the month and wear a red sweatshirt, I’ll sell you this thing for 20 euros,” you are probably looking at a stolen bicycle.  Make sure you check into these things ahead of time.

Although Craigslist isn’t popular here, Marktplaats is.  It is THE way to find great deals on all kinds of things.  Bicycles, furniture, sports equipment, whatever it is, you can find it here.  Because it is so popular, it is also a bit safer from the “is this bicycle stolen” dilemma.  That doesn’t mean it’s completely safe, but it is better regulated.  The same rules for Craigslist apply here.  Use common sense.  If you are looking at a photo of a shiny new bicycle in mint condition and the seller is asking 20 euros, there is something fishy going on.

The last thing you will need to know if you are looking to buy a bicycle in the Netherlands is the type of bicycle you want.  And there are plenty of types for all sorts of people!  In my next post, I’ll tell you a little about the types of bicycles and some pros and cons for each of them.