You can get a bike in Pokémon Platinum by visiting the Bike Shop in Eterna City after you’ve obtained the National Pokédex.
Embarking on your Pokémon journey through the Sinnoh region in Pokémon Platinum is an adventure filled with exploration, battling, and friendship. As you traverse its diverse landscapes, from the bustling cities to the mysterious caves, you’ll quickly realize the importance of speed and efficiency. One of the most crucial items for any budding trainer looking to cover more ground swiftly is the Bicycle. This guide will walk you through the straightforward process of obtaining a bike in Pokémon Platinum, ensuring you can explore Sinnoh faster than ever. Forget slow, plodding walks; with a trusty bicycle, you’ll be zipping through routes and reaching new destinations with ease.
The First Step: Reaching Eterna City
Before you can even think about acquiring your bicycle, you must first make your way to the vibrant city of Eterna City. This picturesque city is nestled beside Eterna Forest and is a key location in your early to mid-game progression.
Journeying Through Sinnoh
Your path to Eterna City will likely involve navigating through several key locations:
- Jubilife City: Your starting point, where you’ll receive your first Pokémon and Pokédex.
- Route 203 & Oreburgh City: Here you’ll face the first Gym Leader, Roark, and delve into the mining town.
- Route 204: A route leading north from Jubilife City, connecting to the cave systems.
- Mt. Coronet (South): You’ll need to traverse a portion of this large mountain.
- Route 207: A rocky route leading into the Mt. Coronet cave.
- Route 208: Connects Mt. Coronet to Hearthome City.
- Hearthome City: A major hub where you’ll face the next Gym Leader, Fantina, and find various facilities.
- Route 209: The route south of Hearthome City, featuring the Lost Tower.
- Route 210: A northern route from Hearthome City, eventually leading to Solaceon Town.
- Solaceon Town: Home to the Pokémon Day Care and the Ruins of Solaceon.
- Route 211: Connects Solaceon Town to Mt. Coronet’s northern entrance.
- Eterna Forest: A significant area filled with wild Pokémon and trainers, directly preceding Eterna City.
The journey is structured to gradually introduce you to the world of Sinnoh and its challenges. Each city and route serves a purpose in your quest to become a Pokémon Master.
The Crucial Milestone: Obtaining the National Pokédex
This might come as a surprise, but the ability to get a bike isn’t immediately available upon arriving in Eterna City in Pokémon Platinum. Unlike some earlier Pokémon titles where the bike was a more readily obtainable item, in Platinum, it’s tied to a significant post-game progression. You will need to have defeated the Elite Four and become the Champion of the Sinnoh League. Following this monumental achievement, Professor Rowan will upgrade your Pokédex to the National Pokédex. This upgrade is the key that unlocks the bicycle shop’s full inventory.
Why the National Pokédex is Essential
The National Pokédex is a comprehensive index of all Pokémon across all regions. In Pokémon Platinum, acquiring it signifies that you’ve proven your mettle as a trainer and are ready to explore the wider world of Pokémon. The bike itself becomes available as a reward for this extended commitment to your journey. It’s a testament to your progress, allowing you to revisit areas and tackle new challenges with enhanced mobility.
The Bike Shop: Where Dreams of Speed Are Realized
Once you have the National Pokédex, Eterna City becomes your destination for acquiring your bicycle. The bike shop is located in the heart of the city, a prominent building that symbolizes speed and freedom.
Locating the Bike Shop
The Bike Shop in Eterna City is easy to find. It’s typically situated in a central area of the city, often near the Pokémon Center or other key landmarks. Look for a building with a distinctive appearance, possibly featuring a bicycle motif.
What Happens Inside the Bike Shop
Upon entering the Bike Shop with your National Pokédex in hand, the shop owner will acknowledge your accomplishment. He will then offer you the choice between two types of bicycles:
- The Speed Bike: This bike offers superior speed, allowing you to traverse routes at a significantly faster pace. It’s excellent for quickly getting from one place to another.
- The Mach Bike: This bike provides an even greater boost in speed, and more importantly, allows you to ride up steep inclines or cross certain cracked pathways that the Speed Bike cannot manage.
Table: Bicycle Options in Pokémon Platinum
| Bike Type | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Bike | Faster than walking, nimble handling, ideal for general travel. | Efficiently navigating routes, backtracking, and general exploration across Sinnoh. Offers a noticeable speed improvement over walking. |
| Mach Bike | Fastest option, can ascend slopes, ride over certain cracked paths. Requires some mastery to control effectively. | Reaching difficult-to-access areas, speed-focused travel, and tackling specific environmental puzzles. Its ability to go up slopes is crucial for certain areas like Cycling Road. |
Important Note: You can only choose one bicycle. Once you make your selection, you cannot change it later. Consider your preferred playstyle and which areas you anticipate exploring most frequently. If you value raw speed for general travel, the Speed Bike is a good choice. If you’re aiming to explore every nook and cranny, especially areas like Cycling Road, the Mach Bike’s versatility might be more appealing.
The Voucher System (A Common Misconception)
While some older Pokémon games featured a “Voucher” system where you’d obtain a voucher from a specific NPC to exchange for a bike, Pokémon Platinum simplifies this. The requirement is purely the National Pokédex. There is no separate voucher to collect. The achievement of becoming Champion and obtaining the National Pokédex serves as your “voucher.”
Special Considerations and Additional Information
While the primary method to obtain a bike is through the Eterna City Bike Shop after obtaining the National Pokédex, there are some other interesting tidbits and special Pokémon that might be related to cycling or mobility.
Manaphy and the Manaphy Egg
While not directly related to obtaining your standard bicycle, it’s worth mentioning Manaphy and the Manaphy egg in the context of special Pokémon. The Manaphy egg could historically be obtained through special promotions or Mystery Gifts in certain regions and timeframes. If you managed to obtain a Manaphy egg, you would hatch a Manaphy. This mythical Pokémon is known for its incredible swimming abilities, not cycling, but it’s a prime example of a special Pokémon that adds to the richness of the Sinnoh region.
The Importance of Cycling Road
Once you have your bicycle, you’ll be able to access Cycling Road. This unique route, typically located in the eastern part of Sinnoh, is specifically designed for bicycle travel. It’s a long, winding path that requires consistent pedaling to navigate. Mastering the use of your bicycle on Cycling Road can be a fun challenge and rewards you with access to new areas and items. The Mach Bike is particularly useful here, as its speed allows you to traverse the long stretches of Cycling Road more efficiently.
Girafarig and Route 215
Girafarig is a Pokémon you can encounter in Sinnoh, often found in areas like Route 215. While Girafarig itself doesn’t directly help you obtain a bike, its presence adds to the diverse wild Pokémon population you’ll encounter as you travel. The ability to move quickly with your bicycle makes it much easier to encounter specific Pokémon in their habitats, including those like Girafarig.
Gift Pokémon and Their Mobility
The concept of a gift Pokémon is a common one in the Pokémon series. While most gift Pokémon are received as eggs or directly from NPCs and don’t inherently grant you a bike, they are often part of the journey that leads you to places where bikes are available. For instance, receiving a gift Pokémon might necessitate travel to a new city, which in turn could bring you closer to Eterna City and the Bike Shop.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions players might have about getting a bike in Pokémon Platinum.
Q1: Can I get a bike before defeating the Elite Four?
A1: No, you cannot obtain the standard bicycle from the Eterna City Bike Shop until you have defeated the Elite Four and obtained the National Pokédex.
Q2: Which bike should I choose, the Speed Bike or the Mach Bike?
A2: The choice depends on your playstyle. The Speed Bike is faster for general travel. The Mach Bike is the fastest and can go up slopes, making it ideal for areas like Cycling Road and reaching specific collectibles or areas that require more precise movement.
Q3: Is there a way to get a bike earlier in the game?
A3: In Pokémon Platinum, the main method of obtaining a bike is through the Eterna City Bike Shop after beating the game. There are no legitimate in-game methods to acquire a bicycle prior to this point.
Q4: Do I need a voucher to get the bike?
A4: No, you do not need to collect a specific voucher. Your National Pokédex serves as the credential for obtaining the bike.
Q5: What happens if I choose the wrong bike? Can I change it later?
A5: Unfortunately, once you choose between the Speed Bike and the Mach Bike, you cannot change your selection later in the game. You will have to live with your decision or start a new game.
Q6: Where is the Bike Shop located?
A6: The Bike Shop is located in Eterna City.
Q7: Can I use my bike anywhere in the game?
A7: You can use your bike on most outdoor routes and specific areas like Cycling Road. However, you cannot use your bike inside buildings, caves, or certain restricted areas where specific movement mechanics are required.
Q8: Does getting a bike affect anything else in the game?
A8: Getting a bike significantly improves your travel speed, making it easier to explore, backtrack, and reach various destinations more efficiently. It’s essential for navigating certain routes and challenges.
Conclusion: Embrace the Speed of Adventure
Acquiring a bicycle in Pokémon Platinum is a rewarding experience that marks a significant step forward in your journey through the Sinnoh region. While it requires patience and dedication to reach the point where the National Pokédex is obtained, the freedom and speed a bicycle provides are well worth the effort. Whether you choose the consistent speed of the Speed Bike or the versatile power of the Mach Bike, you’ll find yourself zipping through familiar routes and exploring new territories with an excitement that only comes with faster travel. So, head to Eterna City, showcase your Champion status, and get ready to pedal your way to countless new adventures! Your Sinnoh exploration is about to get a whole lot faster and more enjoyable.