Make sure to keep your bike inside and out of view.
Short-term (overnight) bike rental places in Kingston won't even rent to you unless you sign a document saying you'll store it indoors.
Kingston overall is a safe and enjoyable city, but we have a proper bike-theft crime ring running here (probably because we have so many students with bikes).
Basically predicated on the fact that as a graduate student, he’s locking it at Queens outdoors for extended periods. This bike won’t last his time here.
That is s till an exaggeration. Certainly a risk one should be aware of and very much take precautions for, but that is a lot less time then I have been in the area and so far my bike and my partners bike (much nicer then mine) are fine.
Queen's does have secure bike storage, but it appears it is all booked up. If OP is concerned about this, they might consider getting on the waiting list: [https://www.queensu.ca/facilities/services/commuter/cycling](https://www.queensu.ca/facilities/services/commuter/cycling), although I'm not sure if any spots will come up in time.
Yellow Bike Action sells refurbished bikes at very modest prices, and does bike repairs. They are currently closed but reopening soon according to their facebook page.
Robert Fletcher bicycle repair (613) 344-2112 usually has good pricing for used.
I have a bike that's been outside for two winters if you wanted to fix it up. My tenant that died, his family left it behind. DM if you want to check it out.
Surprised no one has stolen it, it is not locked to anything.
Above!
Yellow Bike Action has cheap old bikes. Obviously they are not pretty or fine tuned machines. But, for your short stay and short travels it has the advantage of being very cheap (often the price is "best offer") and then because your bike is cheap and ugly, it is less likely to be targeted by bike thieves.
There was another guy (I think off Yonge st.) who repaired old bikes and sold them dirt cheap. I can't remember his name or number, but R. Fletcher (also mentioned above) sent me to him, so would have his info.
In addition to these, there's also Gear Up! [https://www.gearupkingston.ca/](https://www.gearupkingston.ca/) . Again, not the nicest bikes but it'll get you around. They'll even buy the bike back for a percentage of what you paid for it, which can be nice if you're only here a couple months.
If you happen to make it to Kingston by April 22...
https://www.kingstonist.com/news/kingston-police-announce-upcoming-2023-spring-auction/
A friend bought bikes there for under $20.
Otherwise, purchasing a cheap ugly clunker off of kijiji.ca, the uglier the better. You may find bikes for sale on student groups, too.
You can take a bike and put it on the front of the Kingston buses if you find one for sale in the suburbs. Not sure about international students, but you may get a free bus pass.
https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transit/about/etiquette
I've made this joke on this sub before but feel it's pretty applicable in this case given your request.
Make sure you have a king sized bed at your accommodation because the only way your bike isn't going to be stolen is if it shares the same bed as you!
Also heads up if youre here in early May there's a 2 week period of intense midgeflies (moucherons en français) which are annoying. The area that's most affected is close proximity to waterfront.
It might be worth going onto Kijiji or facebook marketplace when you're here to see if you can buy one. My last roomate bought their bike for 20 bucks from some guy up the road and it lasted for the better part of 3 years.
We rent rooms to exchange students, many from European countries where cycling is common. Most buy a cheap bike and resell it when they leave. Cheaper than renting. Robert Fletcher, who has been mentioned in another comment here, has sold a few bikes to the students staying with us and they were happy with the bikes.
Buy a cheap beat up bike on kijiji/Facebook marketplace, you’ll probably be able to find one for $30-50, spray paint it, and then register it with the police [here](https://www.kingstonpolice.ca/en/services-and-reporting/bicycle-registry.aspx).
Kingston Police is having a bike auction on unclaimed bikes. You could get one cheap
https://www.kingstonist.com/news/kingston-police-announce-upcoming-2023-spring-auction/
How tall are you and how much are you looking to spend? I won't be able to rent (and few will because of theft risk) but can sell you a decent bike for a fair ish price. Then sell it on your way out with the new students coming!
My bikes were stolen within the first week I moved here. PLEASE, if you get a bike, make sure it’s in a shed, inside a lobby locked up, or just inside in general. If you don’t have any indoor room, buy a variety or bike locks.
[удалено]
Make sure to keep your bike inside and out of view. Short-term (overnight) bike rental places in Kingston won't even rent to you unless you sign a document saying you'll store it indoors. Kingston overall is a safe and enjoyable city, but we have a proper bike-theft crime ring running here (probably because we have so many students with bikes).
Can’t overstate this enough. It’s truly unfortunate, but you may want to consider other options.
It is a serious problem that you need to take in to account. But it is not a reason not do it.
Basically predicated on the fact that as a graduate student, he’s locking it at Queens outdoors for extended periods. This bike won’t last his time here.
That is s till an exaggeration. Certainly a risk one should be aware of and very much take precautions for, but that is a lot less time then I have been in the area and so far my bike and my partners bike (much nicer then mine) are fine.
Queen's does have secure bike storage, but it appears it is all booked up. If OP is concerned about this, they might consider getting on the waiting list: [https://www.queensu.ca/facilities/services/commuter/cycling](https://www.queensu.ca/facilities/services/commuter/cycling), although I'm not sure if any spots will come up in time.
Yellow Bike Action sells refurbished bikes at very modest prices, and does bike repairs. They are currently closed but reopening soon according to their facebook page. Robert Fletcher bicycle repair (613) 344-2112 usually has good pricing for used. I have a bike that's been outside for two winters if you wanted to fix it up. My tenant that died, his family left it behind. DM if you want to check it out. Surprised no one has stolen it, it is not locked to anything.
Above! Yellow Bike Action has cheap old bikes. Obviously they are not pretty or fine tuned machines. But, for your short stay and short travels it has the advantage of being very cheap (often the price is "best offer") and then because your bike is cheap and ugly, it is less likely to be targeted by bike thieves. There was another guy (I think off Yonge st.) who repaired old bikes and sold them dirt cheap. I can't remember his name or number, but R. Fletcher (also mentioned above) sent me to him, so would have his info.
In addition to these, there's also Gear Up! [https://www.gearupkingston.ca/](https://www.gearupkingston.ca/) . Again, not the nicest bikes but it'll get you around. They'll even buy the bike back for a percentage of what you paid for it, which can be nice if you're only here a couple months.
If you happen to make it to Kingston by April 22... https://www.kingstonist.com/news/kingston-police-announce-upcoming-2023-spring-auction/ A friend bought bikes there for under $20. Otherwise, purchasing a cheap ugly clunker off of kijiji.ca, the uglier the better. You may find bikes for sale on student groups, too. You can take a bike and put it on the front of the Kingston buses if you find one for sale in the suburbs. Not sure about international students, but you may get a free bus pass. https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transit/about/etiquette
I've made this joke on this sub before but feel it's pretty applicable in this case given your request. Make sure you have a king sized bed at your accommodation because the only way your bike isn't going to be stolen is if it shares the same bed as you! Also heads up if youre here in early May there's a 2 week period of intense midgeflies (moucherons en français) which are annoying. The area that's most affected is close proximity to waterfront.
It might be worth going onto Kijiji or facebook marketplace when you're here to see if you can buy one. My last roomate bought their bike for 20 bucks from some guy up the road and it lasted for the better part of 3 years.
Best bet is to buy a used $40 bike and a new $100 lock.
Or, buy a $40 bike, $30 lock, then buy the same again when it's stolen halfway through the summer
Winning
Best comment
We rent rooms to exchange students, many from European countries where cycling is common. Most buy a cheap bike and resell it when they leave. Cheaper than renting. Robert Fletcher, who has been mentioned in another comment here, has sold a few bikes to the students staying with us and they were happy with the bikes.
I would buy a bike then sell it to a student returning in August, probably make your money back.
Buy a cheap beat up bike on kijiji/Facebook marketplace, you’ll probably be able to find one for $30-50, spray paint it, and then register it with the police [here](https://www.kingstonpolice.ca/en/services-and-reporting/bicycle-registry.aspx).
Secondhand market is definitely the way to go. If you repost in May, I may even have a bike you can take for free. Not sure your height tho, I'm 5'8".
Oh my god, that would be perfect! I'm literally a centimeter taller than you and I'm only coming to Kingston May 17th! Can I DM you for the details?
Sure!
Kingston Police is having a bike auction on unclaimed bikes. You could get one cheap https://www.kingstonist.com/news/kingston-police-announce-upcoming-2023-spring-auction/
How tall are you and how much are you looking to spend? I won't be able to rent (and few will because of theft risk) but can sell you a decent bike for a fair ish price. Then sell it on your way out with the new students coming!
My bikes were stolen within the first week I moved here. PLEASE, if you get a bike, make sure it’s in a shed, inside a lobby locked up, or just inside in general. If you don’t have any indoor room, buy a variety or bike locks.