Bicycling

Visit Amsterdam and you will see bicycles everywhere. Whether on the road or where you walk (there is not a great deal of distinction between the pavement/sidewalk and the bicycle lanes) or attached to anything fixed - you will see bicycles and people bicycling!

Riding a bike is a way of life in Amsterdam and much of the Netherlands. Too crowded and impractical a place in which to own a car, the bike is the fastest and most efficient way around town. It even beats the trams which stop and start regularly to give way to pedestrians and cyclists. There are more bicycles per capita in Amsterdam than anywhere else in Europe.

The standard Dutch bike does not look much, but is a simple design of high quality and durability. Popular brands include Gazelle, Batavus and Union. With wide handlebars and minimal gears, if any, the traditional bike often does not have hand brakes that you may be used to, instead using back-pedal brakes. Hand brakes, though, are available at bicycle rental stores on request.

Unlike other cities around the world, bicycles can be parked nearly anywhere and you will see them attached to any spare railing or post around the city. The lock is often worth more than the bike itself - residents are disuadded from buying anything more expensive because they are often stolen by drug addicts to be resold. If you hear anyone shouting "fiets", they are trying to sell you a bicycle so just ignore them.

Many bikes are abandoned and you will see many rusty lumps of metal around the city. They also find their ways into the canals. Over 10,000 bikes are dredged from the canals in Amsterdam every year!

To experience the true Amsterdam, we recommend that you hire a bike for at least a day and experience the city in this way. Watch out for pedestrians ahead who may not be expecting you to pass - use your bell to attract their attention if necessary, and signal to others via hand signals if you are about to turn - a simple pointing downwards to your left or right will suffice.

Shortly, we will be adding information on our recommended bicycle hire stores.