How do I get a bike

Buy or rent a bike

Cycling in the Netherlands is very common and nearly everyone has a bike. Cycling is the best way to get around the city of Maastricht so we recommend getting a bike when you arrive. On this page we will inform you about buying and renting a bike.

We recommend one of the first things you do after arriving in Maastricht is buying a bike. Before your purchase, it is good to consider a couple of things, such as, your budget, how often you need your bike and where you can store it. You can visit one of the many bike shops to buy a new or second-hand bicycle.

What to look for in a bike

  • working lights and reflectors, both on the front and back – if you’re seen cycling at night without these, you risk getting a fine
  • brakes that are in good condition
  • a working bell
  • make sure that the tires stay inflated before buying the bike
  • gears are definitely not a must but some people do opt for them

Where to buy a second-hand bike

There is so much turnover in Maastricht that you will almost certainly be able to get a decent second-hand bike for a fair price; this is one of the cheaper options for bikes, and we think it’s reasonable to expect (if you start searching on time) a used bike to cost you around €50 – €100. Bikes are the most expensive in September when all the university students are arriving and cheapest in June/July when many students who are moving away want to sell their bikes.

Facebook

It’s quite easy to pick up a second-hand bike through Facebook. Popular places to search are:

  • Buy / Sell a bike in Maastricht
  • Bikes and Furniture in Maastricht
  • Second-hand bikes Maastricht

There are also other second-hand pages that have bikes on sale. 

Marktplaats

Another option is Marktplaats, which is the Dutch equivalent to Ebay. There are plenty of offerings which, unlike those on the Facebook groups mentioned, could be from any part of the Netherlands but you can set a maximum distance from your postcode to get the nearest options. Marktplaats is unfortunately only available in Dutch, but if you search fiets (Dutch for ‘bike’) and use an online translator, you should be fine.

Safely buying a second-hand bike

It’s always more risky to buy second-hand bikes from a person you don’t know, either because it could be of poor quality or a stolen bike. Buying a stolen bike is illegal, even if you weren’t aware it was stolen. So how can you avoid this?

  1. Check the frame number

First, you can check whether the bike’s frame number is registered in the database on the RDW website. You can find the frame number in the frame of the bike. It could be engraved or a laminated sticker. It’s a good sign if the bike is registered on the database and it has not been reported as stolen. If you do find the bike on the database, take a screenshot so that (if necessary) you can prove that you did your best to not buy a stolen bike! 

  1. Ask the seller for a guarantee

If the bike doesn’t come up on the database, you can ask the seller to write and sign a document guaranteeing that they are the rightful owner of the bike. This document should also state the frame number of the bike, as well as the date, location and price you bought the bike for. This way you cover yourself against any legal liability in the event that the bike you bought ends up being a stolen one.

  1. Check the bike before buying

You should always try to see the bike in person before you decide to buy it. That way you can check if the bike is in a good state, and you can write down the seller’s contact details just in case something goes wrong. Be sensible when visiting a stranger’s house, take a friend with you, or tell someone where you’re going. 

  1. Take a photo of your new bike

It’s a good idea to take a photo of your bike after buying it (preferably with you in the photo) and write down the bike’s frame number. These two things will come in very handy if your bike ever gets removed by the municipality or stolen.

About cycling in Maastricht

  • In Maastricht city centre, you are only allowed to park your bicycle in the provided racks or in the bicycle-parking facilities. 

    You can park your bicycle for free in the guarded and sheltered Kesselskade bicycle-parking facility and in the Markt bicycle-parking facility in the city centre. Vrijthof square also has a sheltered but unguarded bicycle-parking facility. Maastricht's main railway station in Wyck has a sheltered bicycle-parking facility where you can park for free for 24 hours with your public transport pass (OV-chipkaart) or with a temporary pass. There are also plenty of unguarded bicycle-parking facilities in the city centre.

  • There are several unguarded bicycle racks where you can park your bicycle.

    Around Vrijthof square:

    • Vrijthof square/Keizer Karelplein square
    • Helmstraat (only short-term parking of no longer than one hour in the designated bicycle spaces)

    At Mosae Forum and Markt square:

    • Hoenderstraat
    • Gubbelstraat
    • Markt square
    • Wilhelminabrug
    • Mariastraat

    At Onze Lieve Vrouweplein square:

    • Vissersmaas
    • Het Bat
    • Achter de Comedie
    • Onze Lieve Vrouweplein square

    In Wyck:

    • Oeverwal/Cörversplein square
    • Kattenstraat
    • Wycker Brugstraat
    • Ruiterij

    At Plein 1992:

    • Plein 1992 square
    • Hoogbrugplein square
    • Avenue Céramique

    In Sphinxkwartier:

    • Muziekgieterij
    • Loods 5
    • Pathé

    Other:

    • Franciscus Romanusweg

  • There are several places in Maastricht city centre where you can park your moped or scooter: Scooter parking facilities at station building, Vrijthof square/Keizer Karelplein square, Wilhelminabrug, Van Hasseltkade, Vissersmaas, and Het Bat.

  • Cycling through the pedestrianized shopping area is only allowed from 18 h to 11 h (on shopping nights from 21 h). You risk a fine of 60 euro + 9 euro administration costs.

  • It is prohibited to hold your phone while cycling. You risk receiving a fine if you hold your mobile phone to call, send a message, navigate, or change music while cycling. During the darker days of autumn and winter and at night, you are also required to have good bicycle lighting. If you don't have working lights on your bicycle, you risk receiving a fine.

    View all the rules on cycling on our website.

  • The municipality removes bicycle wrecks or abandoned bicycles and can also remove incorrectly parked bicycles. We especially want to address those places that experience the biggest problems: Wyck, the city centre, and the area around the railway station, while also responding to reports from residents in other parts of the city.

    Incorrectly parked bicycles and mopeds in the area around the Maastricht main railway station will be tagged with a label and taken to the municipal bicycle depot after 15 minutes where the owners can collect them. 

  • If your bicycle is gone or if you have found a bicycle, you can report it on www.verlorenofgevonden.nl and visit the municipal bicycle depot on Gerardusweg 39.
    You can report theft on www.politie.nl/aangifte up to 10 days after your visit to the depot. 

    If you have any questions, you can call the Municipality of Maastricht on 14043. 

  • Visit the bicycle depot at Gerardusweg 39. The depot is about ten minutes’ walking distance from Maastricht's main railway station.

  • The bicycle depot on Gerardusweg 39 is open on Mondays between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

  • Retrieving your bike there costs €50 euro. 
    The costs for retrieval must be paid on the spot via debit card.

  • You can use the Arriva shared bikes and OV public transport bicycle shared bicycles. These bicycle-sharing schemes are available at every railway station. For a fee, you can use one of these bicycles to travel the last few kilometres to your destination. There are several Nextbike stations in the city centre that you can use to borrow or return a bicycle.

    At visitmaastricht.com, you can find a list of the providers where you can rent a bicycle or e-bike from as little as €10 euro per day.

    Zuid-Limburg Bereikbaar also has a special promotional offer that allows you to try out an e-bike, electric cargo bike, or speed bike for one week for your commute if you live or work in South Limburg. On the website probeereenebike you can find more information on a free trial.