Buying or subscribing: what is better for students?

If you're looking for a student bike, you'll probably come across two options: buying a bike or getting a bike subscription.

Buying can make sense if you find a good second-hand deal and are happy to take care of maintenance yourself. Just remember that the purchase price isn't the whole cost. You'll also need to think about locks, repairs, replacement parts and what happens when you move or leave the Netherlands.

A bike subscription works differently. You pay a monthly fee to use the bike, while services such as maintenance and bike swaps are included with Swapfiets. Students can also get a special student discount, making it an easy option for getting around without a big upfront cost. If something goes wrong, you can arrange a repair or swap instead of figuring out how to fix it yourself.

For students, that's the main advantage: less hassle and more flexibility. Your first year might involve moving house, changing your daily route or even spending a semester abroad. Your bike shouldn't make those changes more complicated.

So, which should you choose?

• Buy if you want to own your bike, find a good deal and don't mind handling maintenance.

• Subscribe if you want a simple monthly setup and support when your bike needs attention.

For many students starting university, subscribing is the easier option. It leaves you with one less practical thing to worry about while you're settling into a new city.

Your City-by-City guide to Dutch cycling

Cycling culture feels different in every Dutch student city. Here's what to expect during the biggest intro weeks of 2026.

• Eindhoven: Eindhoven is made for cycling, but there are still a few things worth knowing. Take a ride around the Hovenring, the famous suspended cycle roundabout, and if you're heading to Stratumseind afterwards, think about where you'll park before the evening gets busy.
  
  

• Nijmegen: The ride up to Heyendaal campus can be a workout, so get comfortable with your gears early. Heading to the Waalstrandjes with your new friends? Bring a bike that can handle a picnic load without turning the journey into an uphill battle.
  
  

• Maastricht: Maastricht's historic streets come with plenty of character, including cobblestones. Slow down, keep your grip relaxed and let your tyres do the work. Cycling towards Sint Pietersberg? Save some energy for the hills.
  
  

• Rotterdam: The Erasmus Bridge looks impressive from a bike too, especially when you're cycling into a headwind. Allow 20+ minutes for journeys between the EUR campus and the city centre while you're still getting to know the city.
  
  

• Delft: TU Delft is huge, so learning a few cycling shortcuts can make student life much easier. In the historic centre, take extra care when parking around the canals. A secure bike spot is always better than an unplanned swim.
  
  

• Tilburg: Tilburg is one of the easiest cities to explore by bike. Check out the Spoorzone and LocHal, then keep going. The city is flat and compact, so many student destinations are within a 15-minute ride.
  
  

• Amsterdam: Amsterdam has one cycling lesson every new student should learn quickly: tram tracks and bike tyres are not friends. Cross tracks diagonally, aiming to get your wheels across at close to 90 degrees. And when parking, use a fixed rack and double-lock your frame. If you're new to the city, it's also worth getting familiar with Amsterdam's bike parking rules before intro week.
  
  

• Enschede: The routes between the city centre and University of Twente are easy to explore by bike. Around the Oude Markt, however, intro week means busy terraces and plenty of pedestrians. When it gets crowded, walk your bike through the area.

Three skills worth learning before intro weeks

• Tram tracks: Slow down and cross diagonally rather than riding along the rails.

• Cobblestones: Reduce your speed, relax your grip and avoid sudden turns or braking.

• Hills: Shift into an easier gear before the climb and keep a steady pace. There is no need to race your new classmates.

Sort your bike before you sort your timetable

Your first weeks at university will be busy enough. Once your bike is reliable and ready to go, you can focus on the things that actually make intro week exciting: finding your favourite spots, getting lost with new friends and discovering your new city.

A Swapfiets bike subscription takes care of the bike side of things, so you can get on with the student-life side.