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for 150 euro's yu can just go to any regular bike-shop. They will usually sell some second hand bikes, they are just been serviced so OK. You could get a bike with 3 gears for around 150 euro's, without gears for less. In Holland the "normal" bikes have a more upright position than the typical mountainbikes though.

But by buying via marktplaats.nl, you can get a decent bike for around 40-60 euro's. Too bad it is all in Dutch.

You can take your bike into the trains if you get a extra train ticket, it will cost you 6 euro's extra and you can go anywhere in the Netherlands for the day.

And do invest in a good lock. You will need two, at least one of them must be a chain or something to tie around a fence or something. A good lock will set you back around 25 euro's, normally a bike should have one installed on the rear wheel.

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BTW: when are you coming over? I'm willing to have a look around for you or translate email.

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Hi Singala

thanks for the tip on the website - have had a quick look with my 'online translator' for 'fietsen dames' in Rotterdam, and there's a lot! I also got the name of a 2nd-hand bike shop, and the map, so this may be a good starting point too. I think I may be able to downgrade the budget to 100 euro. It's really nice of you to offer to assist with a translation - I'll be arriving next Saturday 9 August, so perhaps will start trying to line something up late next week, if I can PM you then, it would be much appreciated.
Best wishes, Sue

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PM's are fine, I live in the neighbourhood of Rotterdam and work in the centre.

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Hi embolden,my experience is just ask.The thing is if you are going to a bikeshop,its over 100Pounds.And its not a new one,I buy one for 20 euro.I came out of a ATM in a tinytown,and just asked the first person and it was a peace of cake.Same with coffeeshop,just ask on the street.I can not recommend biking in Rotterdam,but Den Haag is very very good.Amsterdam I dont know,but biking in Holland is a joy outside the City.But it rains a lot,even in Summer.Just 3 days sunny,and its easy going with youre bike to a hostal.

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And its not a new one,I buy one for 20 euro
Of course it is not a new bike, as said above there is a 99,9% chance that the seller just stole it, and will use your 20 euro to maintain his drug or drinking habit.
That's not exactly what they would call "responsible travel" at Lonely Planet.

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Plus it's illegal and you risk a heafty fine by buying a bike from someone 'on the streets'.
Are you going to take all your luggage with you on your bike? Then you would need a 'proper' touring-bike or mountain-bike (or hybrid) and not the second hand city-bikes that will cost around €100, as well as bags you can hang/clip on your bike. But uyou can also find those in any bikeshop. Also, for longer cycling trips I'd recommend at least 3-speeds. It's no fun cycling alomng the flat endless roads with the wind coming from straight ahead.

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Hi

thanks to everyone who gave some ideas about where to find a bike - thought I would let you know how the whole trip went. I just got back on Monday, and had a lovely time. Bought a beut 2nd-hand bike from a small store outside of Rotterdam in Bleisiwjk - Tweewieters, Hans Van Straalen, van Waningstraat 13, 2665 KJ Bleiswijk tel 010 521 4954 - cost 100 euros and in great condition, a gazelle with lights, fitted lock, 21 gears etc. I'd looked at the shop behind Central Station in Rotterdam - there is a huge selection but the prices are around say 30% higher than in the non-central shops. So another bike shop recommended this place. The bus to Beliswijk from outside the casino (central rotterdam) took about 45 mins to get there - get a good insight into the 'suburbs' of rotterdam! - and then it's about 30mins bike ride back.

The other recommendation would be to go to a university town - eg Delft - to buy a bike as there are likely to be more second -hand shops. The best bet however is to get the dutch yellow pages (link provided up above by one of you) and to find some shops outside of the centre, if you have a good half-day that is!

Dutch bikes are great, the Dutch bike paths are just fantastic, and I feel spolit now on return to London, the bike conditions are truly beyond comparison.

All-in-all, around 270km round trip Rotterdam->the Hague->Haarlem-> Amsterdam-> Utrecht -> Gouda. Let me know if you have any other questions,
Cheers for now, Sue

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Sue (embolden)
Many thanks for the feedback, it is rare that we get feed back like you have given. This information will be of great use for others too.
I also like the traffic rules for bikes in NL and that cars do not have automatic priority.

I am please to read that you enjoyed your trip.

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Good to hear you enjoyed the trip. By the way, you would be surprised what kind of bike paths there are hidden away in London. Go to a London Transport Information Centre (in some large rail stations) and they will hand you out free maps. The first time you use them it can be a bit tricky if you miss the signs, but when you've found your way a lot of them are really nice. I particularly reccommend National Cycle Network route 4 from London to Reading- it's a long ride but you're never more than about 20 minutes ride from a train station. All clearly marked, almost entirely off road or on very quiet roads, and detailed maps are available from bookshops.

For future reference, you can buy new 21 speed mountain bikes from £70 from some UK bike shops and from Halfords. Dont expect brilliant quality, but perfectly sufficient for occasional use.

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All bikes in Holland for 20 euros and less are stolen... I bought my last one for 8.50 from a guy suffering from lack of money

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I bought my last one for 8.50 from a guy suffering from lack of money
That's a great deal indeed. Very helpful also to the guy whose drug habit you helped sustain. Brilliant piece of advice!

P.S. you might be riding my former bicycle; please take good care of it