Using shared bikes in the Netherlands 

Swapfiets

Swapfiets is a popular bike subscription available in most larger cities in the Netherlands. Like a phone or gym subscription, you pay a monthly fee for a bike you can use during your subscription period. Is there a problem with your bike? No worries! Just contact Swapfiets through the app, and they'll fix your bicycle or swap it for a new one within 48 hours. This way, you can be sure you'll always have a bike that works. The prices start around 20 euros a month for a simple bike and up to 80 euros for an electric bike. You can pick up a bicycle at one of their stores or choose free at-home delivery.

OV bike

An OV bike is a great option if you need a bike for a short time. For example, when visiting another city or having a friend over who needs a bicycle. You can rent an OV bike at many train stations for €4.45 per 24 hours. Want to know if any bikes are available? Check the NS app. If you have a personal OV chip card with a subscription, you can even rent 2 bikes! 

Using the bikes is easy. You can pick up a bicycle at one of the almost 300 rental locations throughout the Netherlands. Using your OV chip card, you can unlock and lock the bike. The OV bike will only open with your OV chip card until you return it to a rental location. Be aware that if you return it to a different rental location than you've picked the bike up from, you'll need to pay an extra fee of €10.

Donkey Republic  

Have you seen the bright orange Donkey Republic bicycles in Amsterdam? You can rent these for 8 euros per day. Download the app, reserve a bike, and ride into town. In the app, you rent a bike for an hour, 12 hours, or several days. Ideal if you need a bicycle for a short period or want to be sustainable and don't want to own too much stuff. Please note: Donkey Republic is currently only available in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, and The Hague.

TULU Bikes (available at Amsterdam Minervahaven)

In the bicycle shed at Minervahaven, you will find TULU city Swapfietsen and e-bikes. You can rent city bikes and electric bikes for a small fee.

How to rent a TULU bike?  

1. Download the TULU app and sign up.  
2. Choose any available bike. Scan the QR code on the handlebar. Tap 'Rent' to start.  
3. Jump on your bike, have fun, and stay safe. 
4. Your ride will end automatically when you return your bike to the bicycle shed. Please plug any e-bike rented into the charging station. 

Hely e-bikes (available at Amsterdam Minervahaven)

Hely offers e-bikes exclusively to Student Experience residents in the garage of the building. The bikes are quickly booked in the Hely app for a fixed hourly fee with no hidden costs.    

How to use these Hely bikes?   

1. Download the Hely app from the App Store or Google Play store. 
2. Sign up in the app.
3. Scan the QR code on the bike.   
4. Return the vehicle to the hub, lock up, and tap 'End Ride.'

The first ride is on Hely! They'll give you 10 euro credit on signing up. Do you have any problems? Hely is happy to assist you through the chat in the app.