Cycling in The Netherlands, share a bike and second hand bikes
Cycling
Shared bikes
Shared bicycles with a "smart lock" are available at various locations in Zeeland. Cyclehub offers the shared Bicycle Zeeland in collaboration with HZ University of Applied Sciences and GoAbout. To use a bicycle, you need to download the "GoAbout app" to your phone. When you need a bicycle, open the app and see the nearest location for an available bicycle. You select the bike you want to use and confirm it in the app, the electronic lock will then open. Then you use the bike for as long as you need it. If you want to stop on your way, you can open and also close the lock with the app. Are you done with your ride? Return the bike to one of the shared bike locations. This is allowed at any location and does not have to be the location where you started. You hand in the bicycle via the app. Lock the bike and it is available for the next user. Locations The shared bikes are currently offered at the following locations: Vlissingen
- HZ University of Applied Sciences, Edisonweg
- Campus APV Joost de Moorstraat
- Campus Vlissingen Adriaen Coortelaan
- Bellamypark
- Boulevard Bankert
- Trainstation NS Vlissingen
Middelburg
- HZ University of Applied Sciences, Groenewoud
- Station NS, Kanaalweg
- Cityhotel Wood
- Bagijnhof
- NS Middelburg
- Bachtensteene
- Roggeveenhof
- Cyclehub, Stadsambachtweg
The number of locations is expanded regularly. In the app you can always see an up-to-date overview of the locations and available bikes. What does it cost? As a private individual you can pay per ride or if you use the bikes more often, take out a subscription. Without subscription
Costs per month: none Starting rate: € 1.00 First 4 hours free per ride: no Cost per 30 minutes: € 0.40
With Student subscription Costs per month: € 9.95 Starting rate: none First 4 hours free per ride: yes Cost per 30 minutes: € 0.10 (after 4 hours) 1. Create an account On your smartphone, tablet or computer, go to www.hz.nl/goabout and click or register. Here you create your account. Use your HZ email address. Confirm your account in the email you receive from GoAbout after registration. You then transfer € 9.95 in the app and agree to the automatic collection of the monthly costs. You need a Credit Card or a Dutch bank account to start.
2. Download the app Download the GoAbout app from the App Store or the Google Play Store. Give the app access to your location data and ensure that Bluetooth is switched on if you want to use the bicycle. Your location is used to find bicycles in your area and to ensure that you can return the bicycle. Bluetooth is used to open and close the lock. 3. Log in and choose bicycle Log in to the app with your username. You will now see all bicycles available at the locations. Go to the location where you want to use one of the bikes. 4. Open the lock All bicycles have a unique number. Select a bicycle and select the selected bicycle in the app. You will now see the information about the bicycle and a button 'open lock' will appear. Click on this and the bike will be unlocked. 5. Cycling! You can now use the bicycle for as long as necessary. In between, you lock it with the app. The app indicates whether the bicycle is locked or not. Pay attention! Time goes by when you lock the bicycle. Your ride-time will only be stopped when you return the bicycle to one of the drop off locations and opt for 'return'. Do you have questions? Mail to help@goabout.com
Cycling in The Netherlands
Most universities of applied sciences — and universities throughout the Netherlands in general — recognize the importance of organising or facilitating extracurricular activities for their students. These activities — such as participating in sports club, or student board, or following an Honours Programme — are great for social contact, exploring new possibilities and gaining helpful (working) experiences.
Second hand bikes
Universities in the Netherlands organise a mandatory introduction week for all new (international) students. During this week, you will get all the information you need to make a good start with your studies in the Netherlands. You will also meet your classmates and your study career coach, and participate in a lot of fun activities.