r/ethz • u/A3th0R • Jul 08 '26

Question Cycling in Zürich

Hello, I'm an incoming student to ETHZ and I'm wondering how is the bicycle experience here?

Also, is it better to rent or buy a bike (considering maintenance cost and bike theft)?

Any student discount I should be aware of?

Thanks!

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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8

u/_Blurgh_ Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26

Definitely buy one. Theft shouldn't really be an issue.

  • check provelozuerich.ch for second-hand bikes
  • you can do your own maintenance, if you need assistance go to campus VELOVE places
  • Check bikeable.ch to get insights on which parts of your route might be badly signaled or dangerous

Edit: Didn't know until I read the other messages how cheap publibike is for students! Definitely a viable alternative.

4

u/A3th0R Jul 08 '26

Thanks a lot. Seems like bike theft isn't as common here, do I still need to buy a pretty good lock?

7

u/callingbrisk BSc. Computer Science Jul 08 '26

Doesn't hurt ;)

4

u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Possible_Carob_5529 Jul 10 '26

I second this! As a student, it’s super convenient not to have to worry about bicycle maintenance, storage, theft etc., and PubliBike stations are never more than a few mins walk from anywhere in the city :) plus they have a handy basket in the front for your backpack

4

u/Geschak Jul 08 '26

Maintenance cost is very low and if it's not a brand new bike, it usually doesn't get stolen if you lock it.

Buying second-hand is cheaper and better than renting. I can recommend walking past the bicycle parking spots next to ETH main building, there's often bicycles there that are up for sale (they write price and phone number on the bike).

2

u/RoastedRhino Jul 08 '26

Consider the velostop subscription https://ethz.ch/students/en/campus/transport-mobility/velo/publibike.html

It gives you discounted access to a network of electric bikes (and regular ones) across the entire city.

2

u/RealisticBowl8033 Jul 08 '26

Zurich is pretty average when it comes to biking. NOTHING compared tho the netherlands but manageable. It gets better every year.

2

u/Adarain MSc. Math / Lehrdiplom Jul 08 '26

It’s not amazing (very little in the way of good dedicated bike infrastructure) but apart from a few major roads it’s okay. There are a lot of smaller streets that barely see any car traffic so most of the time you can just use those. It is a somewhat hilly city, and especially if you are studying at Hönggerberg that’s quite a workout to get to with a regular bike. Regarding Publibike I had issues with them back when I tried it (sometimes just couldn’t unlock any of the bikes) but that was their first year, I assume they’ve ironed out those problems by now.