How to get a bike?

2. Where can I buy a bike?

There are different ways to buy a bike in Rotterdam. You can either look for it on internet or go to a second hand bike shop (we are assuming you don't want a new one).

To look for a bike on internet go to www.marktplaats.nl (it's the same as Ebay only in Dutch). The only problem is that the whole site is in Dutch, and the advertisements as well. But we will give you a quick crash course Dutch.

The homepagge gives these search forms;
Wat zoekt u? = What are you looking for?
Alle groepen = All groups
Postcode = Postal code or zip code
Alle afstanden = All distances

What do you need to fill in?
The first search form (wat zoekt u?): fill in fiets (bike in Dutch)
The second search form: choose fietsen en brommers (bikes and motorcycles)
The third search form: fill in your Ducth zip code/postal code
The fourth search form: choose the maximum distance between you and the advertiser (where you will get the bike). So don't choose a very long distance, because you need to look at the bike and bring it back with you!

If you hit 'zoeken' it is going to search for bikes. If you click on prijs (price) the advertisements are sorted from low to high (or the other way around). As we said, most ads are in Dutch, but most ads also have pictures. You can send the advertiser a message or maybe even call him (but remember that not always every one can talk English)

The other way to buy a bike is second hand bike shops. Prices vary from 30 euro until 250 euro. Those bikes are repaired so they should be okay. There is one near Blijdorp. The address is Noorderhavenkade 142. They are opened:
Monday till thursday from 10h00 till 16h00
Friday from 11h00 till 15h00.
www.pluspuntrotterdam.info(website is in Dutch though)

Also most bikeshops sell second hand bikes (=tweedehands fietsen), ask them.