Where To Buy Stolen Bikes Amsterdam?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Buying a stolen bike is illegal in the Netherlands, and all stolen bikes are entered into a register

. Enter the make and frame number here to see if a bike was previously reported stolen, and you could save yourself a hefty fine. Most expats will deal with bicycle theft at some point during their stay here.

Where are most stolen bikes sold?

Check

ebay, Gumtree, craigslist

. Check out the listings on ebay, Gumtree and craigslist. Thieves will often try to sell stolen bikes through these sites.

How do I find my stolen bike in the Netherlands?


You can search the Stolen Bicycles Register (in Dutch) on the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) website

. If someone has reported the bicycle stolen, it will automatically appear in the register.

Where can I buy cheap bikes in Amsterdam?

  • Facebook Groups. Facebook groups are one of the best ways to buy a bicycle in Amsterdam. …
  • Marktplaats. If you want to “go local”, Marktplaats is the local equivalent of Craigslist or Gumtree. …
  • Local Markets. …
  • Flea Markets. …
  • Supermarket Noticeboards. …
  • Craigslist. …
  • Bicycle Shops. …
  • Online Stores.

How common is bike theft in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam, being a bicycle city, may seem like a haven for your bikes. But bike theft is also common here.

Every year, authorities receive anywhere from 50,000 to 80,000 reports of stolen bikes

. In Amsterdam, there are more bikes than locals.

What are the chances of getting your bike stolen?

In fact, according to the organization’s data,

only one in five bikes are ever reported as stolen

, less than 20 percent of bike owners even know their bike’s serial number, and only 1 percent of bike owners ever register their bikes with some kind of registry, like 529 Garage.

Why do people steal bikes?

Joyriders: Joyriders steal bikes

for the sole purpose of riding the stolen bike for entertainment

and will generally abandon the bike after using it. Most of these offenders are male and under the age of 16. Acquisitive: These thieves steal bicycles for financial gain and usually trade them for cash or goods.

How do I get my stolen bike back?

  1. Contact the police. If your bike is stolen, you’ll need to file a police report. …
  2. Register your bike. Even if you didn’t register your bike before it was stolen, you can do so after. …
  3. Alert local pawn shops. …
  4. Check local ads.

How can I find my stolen bike UK?

In the event that your bike is stolen,

contact your local police (either 101 or go to your local station) as soon as possible with as much information as possible

. If you have the frame number, BikeRegister number, a photo and any other details the easier it is for police to find your bike and return it to you.

How common is bike theft in Netherlands?

2019 saw fewer bikes stolen

Their report cites figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), showing that

in 2019 466.560 people in the Netherlands fell victim to bike theft

. In 2016, there were 645.240 victims. The researchers estimate the financial cost of bike thefts is around 600 million euros per year.

How can I avoid getting my bike stolen in the Netherlands?



Use bicycle parking facilities when possible

. Attendants decrease the chance of theft. › Use bicycle racks when possible. You can attach the chain to the rack.

How can I find my lost bike?

  1. Report your bike stolen to the police. …
  2. Call local bike shops. …
  3. Visit local markets and impound yards for stolen bikes. …
  4. Register your bike as stolen on bike recovery sites. …
  5. Search online marketplaces. …
  6. Inform your insurance company. …
  7. Spread the word. …
  8. Conclusion.

Are bikes in Amsterdam free?


Wherever you go there are white bicycles that are free for public use

. Just pick one up when you need one and leave it when you’re finished. It’s such a bike-friendly city!

What are Dutch bikes called?

In the Dutch language the name of these bicycles is

omafiets (‘grandma bike’)

, a term which has been in use since the 1970s. The omafiets is a national icon, and is even used by men in the Netherlands; this is why some people refer to bicycles of this design as Dutch bikes.

How much does renting a bike in Amsterdam cost?

Renting a bicycle

Renting a bike is a great way to show off the city when family or friends come to visit or if you only use a bike a couple times a year. Bike rental costs

about 10 euros a day

. View our list of bike rental locations in Amsterdam for more information.

What happens if your Swapfiets gets stolen?

Our bikes are unfortunately not insured against theft. In case your Swapfiets gets stolen,

we will make sure you get a new bicycle quickly

. Together we will fill out a theft report for the police. In addition, you pay a deductible, provided that your bike was locked properly and you still have your key.

Is bike theft a problem in Amsterdam?


Bike theft is the most common crime in Amsterdam

, with more than 8,000 reported stolen so far this year, according to an analysis of police crime figures by broadcaster RTL Nieuws and quoted by AT5.

Where can I park my bike in Amsterdam?


Municipal bicycle parking facilities are free of charge the first 24 hours and are often covered

. Bikes which are not properly parked in busy areas in a designated area (in a section, rack or indoor parking facility) will be removed and stored at the Bicycle Depot (Fietsdepot).

Which bikes are the most stolen?

Characteristic Number of thefts
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

8,122
Yamaha Motor Corporation 6,495 Harley Davidson, Inc. 4,737 American Suzuki Motor Corporation 4,686

Where is bike theft most common?

In 2019/2020, around 14% of bikes were stolen from “grounds of a public place”, including

local shops, supermarkets, gyms, pubs, football clubs

, and more. Another 5% were stolen from outside the workplace (or the workplace car park), and another 9% were taken straight from the streets.

How do bike thieves break locks?


A pair of hand held cable cutters will snip through most cable locks in seconds

. Cheap, inconspicuous and easy to carry around in a coat pocket, this is the tool that’s most commonly used by bike thieves. And it’s worth repeating again: they will cut through nearly all cable locks in seconds.

How often are bicycles stolen?

Let’s Start With The Bike Theft Statistics

A bicycle is stolen

every 30 seconds

in the United States. That’s roughly two million bikes a year, totaling about $350 million . To give you some perspective, less than one million motor vehicles are stolen each year in America.

Can we claim insurance for lost bike?

File the insurance claim


After filing an FIR, call the motor insurance company helpline and follow the instructions to file the claim against theft of your bike

. Fill in the claim form and provide all the required information such as policy details, your bike’s registration number etc.

How can I make my bike look less expensive?


Electrical tape or old innertube wrapped around the frame tubes to cover logos

makes the bike look tatty and is a good bike theft deterrent. A great way to prevent your best bike being stolen is to leave that at home and commute on something cheaper: a ‘hack bike’.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.