Getting around can be a particular challenge for Ghent University's many students and employees. Out of respect for the environment UGent promotes sustainable mobility. One way of contributing to a cleaner and greener Ghent, is using a bicycle as your main mode of transportation.

Bicycle rent

StudentENmobiliteit gives UGent students the opportunity to rent a bike for a few months or even during one year at giveaway prices.

Staff members can even rent or buy an easily foldable bike.

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Company bicycle

(Faculty) Departments can offer their staff a UGent company bike for work-related trips. These bikes have to be applied for in writing via the Mobility Unit (e-mail) of Ghent University.

Bicycle stands and sheds

Most UGent campusses offer their students and staff bike stands or even (secured) sheds. These sheds are often accessible via a special key.

More information...

Bicycle repair

UGent personnel and students can make use of several bike repair shops. All shops are open to Ghent students; UGent staff can go the repair shop Blandijnberg.

You can tinker away at your bike using the repair shop's tools and/or buy new parts at a very reasonable price. There's always someone at hand to help and advise you.

• Bicycle Repair Shop Blandijnberg (Sint-Hubertusstraat 2) - Open: every weekday from 8h00-10h30 and 12h00-14h00; Friday 8h00-11h00
  Due to circumstances closed from 9 January until 15 April 2012.

• Bicycle Repair Shop Kattenberg (Kattenberg 2) - Open: Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 8h30-11h45 & 13h-15h45; Tuesdays 10h-11h45 & 13h-16h45.

• Bicycle Repair Shop Rabot (Bargiekaai) - Open: Mondays and Wednesdays 12h00-17h00

• Bicycle Repair Shop Station (Roosakkerstraat - Underground car park ‘Practicum’-building P) - Open: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12h00-17h00

NEW!! Mobile bike repair service for staff

All staff members who use a bike (their own, rented or company bike) for their daily commute to work can count on the service of a mobile bike repair service when their precious mode of transport breaks down.

Report your breakdown online.

• If you contact them before 9 am, the repair will happen before 4 pm
• Repairs happen at your place of work
• If the repair is not immediate, a replacement bike is offered
• The service is free, except for spare parts

Accidents do happen...

It is advisable to arrange an extra third party liability insurance if you often bike around Ghent. Visit the insurance website.

Anti-theft tips

• Always secure your bike (even if you leave it for just a second).
• Secure your bike to a pole, fence, bike stand etc. (never to a traffic sign).
• Use a sturdy lock.
• Make sure that removing your bike takes some time (e.g. use two locks).
• Leave your bike at a safe and visible place (preferably a bike shed or stand). Avoid dark or abandoned places.

Another way to prevent bike theft is registering your bike. This means a number is engraved into the frame of your bike. Registering is free at the bike repository (Kattenberg 2):

• every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 1 pm to 4 pm
• every Tuesday: 1 pm to 6 pm

In the unlucky event your bike does get stolen, always file a report at the local police station. Also, take a look at the bike repository: all lost and found bikes are stored there. Bring a copy of the police report.

City of Ghent and bicycles

Ghent presents itself as a bike-friendly city, offering a multitude of (secured) bike sheds and/or stands, numerous bike rent companies and a special bike registration.

Look for a second-hand bike:

• at  the special second-hand bike market: two Saturdays per year (Gent Zuid - Woodrow Wilson Square)
• second-hand shops ('kringloopwinkel')

Get some air at the free Ghent bicycle pumps:

• Library (Gent Zuid)
• Max Mobiel (Voskenslaan - behind Station St Pieters)
• Belfry (Emile Braun Square)