Once you get into Sweden, you’ll see so many people riding bicycles everywhere. Eventually, you’ll get the feeling: Do I need one as well?
<Do I need one as well?>
First of all I want you not to panic. The fear of missing out is there of course but you might not need it at all! Consider whether public transport is around your accommodation or not.
In case of Lund, for example, if your accomodation and campus is close to tram station, then I would recommend taking a tram. It’s a really good option to go to Lund Central or Lund campus. Most of the campus are located uphill, to go to class you have to climb up hill before class which would be really exhausting and make you sweaty.
Second, consider the weather: depends on region, but mostly it rains a lot. In Lund it says it rains about 185 days a year, which is more than half a year! I wouldn’t say it pours but mostly like a drizzle most of the time. I was a bit surprised though, people here just ride bike rain or shine…anyway just wanted to say be careful with the slippery road! Also in winter, you’ll see snow everywhere and it doesn’t really melt that well. Roads are very slippery to ride a bicycle. Once my bike got stuck with a melted snow that froze again, I couldn’t get it out for a while.
<Did I buy one?>
For me, I bought one. Honestly there was like a fear of missing out in the first place. However it was useful in terms of grocery shopping. Supermarket from my place was about 15 minute walk, not bad, but it takes 5 minute with a bike. As I go every other day, it was a convenient choice for me. Carried all those groceries into my bike basket rather than carrying it heavily with my arms.
<How to get a bike: three ways>
After consideration, if you decided to buy one, here are three methods to buy a bicycle.
First is through Facebook group. Some students who are leaving school can sell their bike in affordable prices. There are some facebook groups that you can buy bicycles from. I’ll post some groups down below for Lund region. Oh but keep in mind, be careful with scammers! Before real class started, Police officers gave an orientation guide in university. They gave some general safety guidelines. One of them were ‘be careful of Facebook marketplace’. They said there have been some cases that stolen bike was on sale. Apparently some people steal and sell it as if it is theirs. In worst case, your bike might get taken away and lose money. What I recommend is to check the credibility of the seller. If their history seems suspicious, run away!
Lund student: sell and buy https://www.facebook.com/share/Ukt6vey3S8pu7EPu
sell/buy stuff in Lund: https://www.facebook.com/share/yHmrK4s1XMgkRdsK
Second use app called Blocket.
This is a famous secondhand online market as an application throughout Sweden. Can search bicycles all over Sweden. In my case I had to use my poor Swedish skill to search bicycles, however it worked! (oh btw bicycle is cykel in Swedish)This is the method that I used for getting my bike. I got one from a little far away, but it worthed a journey. It was pretty old and rusty but the bike itself was a good bike. Also try price negotiation:)
Third, go to bike shop! I know this sounds a bit expensive and it feels like you have to buy a new bike, but some of the stores sell used bike with pretty much affordable prices!
I’ll recommend one shop in Lund, he sells used bikes and you can get your bike repaired also. Plus don’t worry about selling it again. He gives you certain amount of money back once you return it! Here’s the address
Of course there are many good bike stores they sell secondhand bikes, so keep an eye on them also. From what I have experienced, the normal price range for a second hand bike would be 1000 to 2000 SEK. Wish you a good luck with your bike hunting!