The Netherlands is famous for its cycling culture, with more than 22 million bikes for 17 million people. Cycling is a convenient, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around, especially in the cities. But how do you rent a bike in the Netherlands? You could go to a traditional bike rental shop, but that might be expensive, time-consuming, and limited in availability.
A better option is to use one of the many bike rental apps in the Netherlands that allow you to find, book, and unlock a bike with your smartphone.
Here are some of the most popular bike rental apps in the Netherlands:
1. OV-fiets: Bike Rental at Train Stations
OV-fiets is a bike rental service offered by the Dutch national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
You can rent an OV-fiets (public transport bike) at more than 300 locations in the Netherlands, mostly at train stations.
To access the service, you need an OV-chipkaart (public transportation card) and registration for a subscription.
The app allows you to check bike availability, reserve a bike in advance, and unlock it using a QR code.
Price:
Starts at €4.45/day
Pros:
- Wide Availability: OV-fiets has a large network of rental locations at train stations across the Netherlands, making it convenient for commuters to access bikes.
- Integration with Public Transportation: This app is closely integrated with the Dutch public transportation system, allowing you to combine bike rides with train journeys.
- User-Friendly: The app provides a straightforward interface for renting bikes, checking availability, and managing reservations.
Cons:
- Limited Access: It is primarily available to users who have an OV-chipkaart and have registered for a subscription, which may limit access for occasional users or tourists.
- Availability Constraints: During peak hours or in popular locations, the availability of bikes can be limited, making it challenging to find an available bike.
- Subscription Requirement: Users need to have a subscription to rent bikes, which involves additional costs and may not be suitable for infrequent users.
2. Donkey Republic: Most Popular Bike Rental App in the Netherlands
Donkey Republic is one of the most popular bike rental apps in the Netherlands. This app provides real-time information on bike availability and allows you to unlock the bikes using Bluetooth technology.
You can rent a Donkey bike (a bright orange bike) for as little as 15 minutes or as long as several days. You are charged based on the rental duration.
It allows you to choose from different plans and memberships that suit your needs and budget.
Price:
Starts at €5/day
Pros:
- Flexibility and Convenience: Donkey Republic offers a dockless bike-sharing system. This allows you to pick up and drop off bikes at various locations within the service area, providing flexibility in trip planning.
- Wide Range of Bike Options: The app offers a diverse range of bikes, including city bikes, e-bikes, and cargo bikes, catering to different preferences and needs.
- Global Availability: This app is a global bike-sharing platform that operates in several cities in the Netherlands, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague.
Cons:
- Availability and Distribution: In some areas, it may be hard to find an available bike nearby.
- Unlocking Process: Occasionally, users may encounter difficulties with unlocking bikes using the app, such as connectivity issues or technical glitches.
- Pricing Structure: The cost of renting Donkey Republic bikes can be relatively higher compared to other bike rental options, especially for longer durations.
3. FlickBike: Station-less Bike Rental in Amsterdam
FlickBike is a bike-sharing service primarily available in the city of Amsterdam. The app provides a map with the locations of available bikes.
Once a bike is rented, you can use the app to unlock it via Bluetooth.
It offers affordable rental rates and convenient payment options through the app.
Price:
Starts at €1/hour or €12/day
Pros:
- Easy Access: The App offers a dockless system, providing convenience and accessibility for quick rentals. You can park and lock the bikes at any public location within the service area once your ride is complete.
- Affordable Pricing: You can benefit from its competitive pricing, particularly for short-term rentals.
- User-Friendly App: The FlickBike app is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to easily locate bikes, unlock them, and manage your rentals.
Cons:
- Limited Service Area: FlickBike’s service area is primarily focused on specific cities, which may limit its availability in some regions or neighbourhoods.
- Bike Availability: Depending on the location and time of day, finding an available FlickBike may be challenging, particularly during peak hours or in high-demand areas.
Maintenance and Bike Condition: Some users have reported issues with the condition and maintenance of FlickBike’s bikes, including flat tires or faulty locks, which can affect the overall user experience.
4. Swapfiets: Cheapest Bike Rental Apps in the Netherlands
Swapfiets is one of the popular bike rental apps in the Netherlands known for its distinctive blue front tire.
With Swapfiets, you can easily rent a bike through their app, enjoy the convenience of cycling in Dutch cities, and get free repairs and maintenance whenever you need.
Swapfiets operates in more than 50 cities in the Netherlands, and it is also one of the top bike rental apps in France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Italy.
It offers a subscription-based model where you pay a monthly fee to rent a bike.
Price:
Starts at €1/day or €20/month
Pros:
- Maintenance and Repairs: The service includes maintenance and repairs, and in case of any issues, Swapfiets provides a replacement bike within a short period of time.
- Quick Replacement: In case of any problems with the bike, it offers quick bike replacements, minimizing any disruption to the user’s cycling experience.
- Convenient App: The app provides an intuitive interface for managing the subscription, making requests for repairs, and accessing customer support.
Cons:
- Monthly Subscription: The subscription-based model may not be suitable for you if you only need a bike for a short period or occasional use.
- Limited Availability: Swapfiets is primarily available in major cities in the Netherlands, which may restrict access for users in more rural or less populated areas.
- Cost: The monthly subscription fee may be higher compared to other bike rental options, especially for users who only need a bike infrequently.
5. Go Sharing: Beautiful Green E-bikes in the Netherlands
This is one of the bike rental apps in the Netherlands that helps you plan your trips using different modes of transport, including bikes (green and white bikes).
You can also use the app to compare prices and travel times of different options, such as bikes, trains, buses, taxis, or car-sharing.
Price:
Starts at €3/hour or €15/day
Pros:
- Bike Options: Go Sharing offers a variety of bike options, including regular bikes and electric bikes, catering to different preferences and needs.
- City Coverage: This app operates in multiple cities, providing you with access to bike rentals in various locations across the Netherlands.
- Competitive Pricing: It provides affordable rental rates, making it a cost-effective option for you if you’re looking for short-term bike rentals.
Cons:
- Limited Availability: The availability of bikes may vary depending on the location and time of day.
- App Reliability: Some users have reported occasional issues with the app’s functionality, such as difficulties in unlocking bikes or inaccurate bike availability information.
- Customer Support: There have been occasional reports of users experiencing challenges in reaching customer support for assistance or issue resolution.
6. Hello-Bike: Best UI&UX
Hello-Bike is one of the top bike rental apps in the Netherlands. It is a transportation service platform that provides various ride options, including shared bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, battery swaps, car rentals, carpooling, and car-hailing.
The rental fees are typically charged per minute or on an hourly basis, providing flexibility for short-term use.
Price:
Starts at €1/30 minutes
Pros:
- Dockless System: Hello-Bike’s dockless system provides flexibility in parking.
- Flexible Rental Options: It offers multiple rental options, allowing you to rent bikes for shorter durations, making them suitable for quick rides or spontaneous trips.
- User-Friendly App: The app offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy to locate bikes, unlock them, and manage rentals. It allows you to locate and unlock available bikes using QR codes.
Cons:
- Limited Service Area: This app may have a more limited service area compared to other bike rental options, which may restrict availability in certain neighbourhoods or cities.
- Bike Availability: Depending on the location and time of day, finding an available bike may be difficult.
- Pricing: While it offers flexible rental options, the per-minute or hourly pricing structure may not be cost-effective for extended durations.
7. Urbee Go: Best E-bike Rental Service In the Netherlands
Urbee Go is a bike-sharing company that operates in several Dutch cities, including Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The app is one of the bike rental apps in the Netherlands that provides real-time information about bike availability and allows you to plan your routes. You are charged per minute for the rental duration.
It is a network of shared e-bikes that are located at various hubs across Amsterdam and other cities.
This app aims to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions and promote a healthier and greener lifestyle.
Price:
Starts at €1/hour or €7.50/day
Pros:
- Bike Options: Urbee offers both regular and electric bikes, providing various options based on your preferences and needs.
- User-Friendly App: The app provides a user-friendly interface for locating bikes, unlocking them, and managing rentals.
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly: This app promotes sustainable transportation by offering bikes as an alternative to cars or public transportation for short trips within cities.
Cons:
- Limited Service Area: Urbee’s service area may be limited compared to some other bike rental apps.
- Bike Availability: Depending on the location and time of day, finding an available bike is a little inflexible.
- Customer Support: Some users have reported challenges in reaching customer support for assistance or issue resolution.
The Netherlands offers a wide range of bike rental options through smartphone apps, making it convenient for both residents and tourists to explore the country on two wheels.
Whether you prefer the integration with public transportation offered by OV-fiets, the flexibility and variety of bikes provided by Donkey Republic, the affordability and convenience of FlickBike, the comprehensive trip planning capabilities of Go About, or the cost-effective subscription model of Swapfiets, there is a bike rental app to suit your needs. Grab your smartphone, download one of these bike rental apps in the Netherlands, and start pedalling your way.