Best bike locks in Groningen 2026

Groningen is in the top 3 per-capita bike theft cities in the Netherlands, largely thanks to its huge student population and the many unguarded parking spots around the centre. Hotspots are the Vismarkt, Grote Markt, the Zernike complex and the area around the Oosterpoort. The RUG and Hanzehogeschool between them have nearly 60,000 students, almost all on bikes — perfect hunting ground for opportunists and small gangs. Insurers like Univé (dominant in the north) require at least ART-2 for student bikes in postcodes 9711 through 9725, and ART-3 for e-bikes. Around Grote Markt and Poelestraat (nightlife district) many bikes disappear at night, taken by students for a 'quick' ride home — the so-called 'social borrowing' that police specifically target. Always use a ring lock plus a chain lock through the frame. Groningen station has a guarded facility (first 24 hours free). For students, the Abus Bordo 6000 is the favourite because it fits in a college bag. For expensive e-bikes, Abus Granit or Kryptonite New York.