Amsterdam by bike

One of the best ways to discover Amsterdam, and to feel a bit like the locals, is by bicycle.

Cycling along Amsterdam’s canals and along the dense network of bicycle lanes, over 400 kilometres marked by a white line and the bicycle symbol, is one of the most beautiful and unmissable experiences in Amsterdam.

Rent a bike in Amsterdam

You can rent a bicycle almost anywhere in Amsterdam, perhaps even at your hotel. Remember that rental centres will ask you to leave an ID and a deposit.

Among the best bike rental centres are:

• Bike City on Bloemgracht.
• Black Bikes in Nieuwezijds Voorburwal, where you can also find cargo bikes for transporting children.
• Damstraat Rent-a-Bike in Damstraat.
• MacBike, the most touristy and multi-centre rental agency in Amsterdam.
• Recycled Bicycles in Spuistraat, the cheapest and greenest as it rents out rebuilt bikes.

Rent a bike online

In addition, you can reserve your bike online: certainly the best way to avoid time wandering around the various rental companies once you arrive in the city.

Basic rules

When roaming around the city, pay attention to other bicycles, cars, pedestrians and tram tracks. The best way to signal your presence is to ring the bell, even if locals do not often do this.

Remember to obey all traffic lights and road signs and that after dark it is compulsory to turn on your front white light and rear red light.

Near railway stations and in some squares in Amsterdam you can find bike racks. If you park your bicycle outside the parking spaces, the police will forcibly remove it.