Cycling UK Forum

We're 2 middle aged couples planning a weekend staying near the Vondelpark, SW of the centre. The hotel offers bike rental and we're hoping to use cycling as our main means of exploring the city. The others aren't very experienced in urban cycling, and I'm wondering just how cycle-friendly is Amsterdam? Anything we need to know? Any tips and advice most gratefully received.

You'll love it. No need for much experience. Common sense will see you through. A decent map is useful, not because there's anything wrong with being lost but because you'll discover more. Enjoy...b

KEELIEDW wrote:We're 2 middle aged couples planning a weekend staying near the Vondelpark, SW of the centre. The hotel offers bike rental and we're hoping to use cycling as our main means of exploring the city. The others aren't very experienced in urban cycling, and I'm wondering just how cycle-friendly is Amsterdam? Anything we need to know? Any tips and advice most gratefully received.

While sightseeing keep an eye open for roadhazards like ridges, bollards and wandering tourists, and don't get stuck in the tramrails

Amsterdam is better designed for bikes than for pedestrians, I'd definitely recommend it. At rush hour there can be a lot of bikes around - make sure you look like tourists (an easy way is to wear a helmet!) and the locals will give you a wider berth.

One thing to note is that a typical Dutch rental bike has a single back-pedal/coaster rear brake. If you're not used to this then they take a bit of practice stopping and getting a foot down, and you want to do your getting used to it on a quiet stretch. I learned the hard way at rush-hour starting from the central station, and I wouldn't particularly suggest that!

You can, of course, hire bikes with a normal front brake too, but they cost a little more and the hotel you're in might not have them.

"Urban cycling" in NL and GB are different enough that experience of one isn't really that much use for the other.

Pete.

"how cycle-friendly is Amsterdam?"

Its the primary means of transport for a substantial proportion of the population. It's fully supported. The only limitation is in the centre's where secure street parking can be tricky to find. There are bikes everywhere. Note that some streets have a bike ban or contraflow but it will be signposted. Cycle paths are the norm; I was amazed how busy they got in rush hour.

It's not in the city but the "Waterland" area has pleasant cycling and things to see. There are tours or you can head out on your own. If you go on your own there is a system of signed, numbered waypoints across the network (which is largely separate from roads).
http://richardtullochwriter.com/2009/11 ... waterland/
https://www.brouwerijhetij.nl

Echoing what others have said - you won't have any problems but it'll be a massive change from cycling in the UK! There are so many cyclists that you'll have to behave differently than when you are at home

Be very careful around tram tracks as you don't want to end up stuck
Avoid sudden moves/lane changes and be sure to look behind & signal when turning as there will always be cyclists behind you
Get a good map and (if you are exploring the area around Amsterdam) familiarise yourself with the knooppunt system of navigation
Be careful where/how you lock up your bike. Most people have very hefty chain locks - be sure it goes through as much of the bike as possible
Be wary of motorbikes in bike lanes - for some reason in many places the law dictates that they have to use them
Most of all, have fun

You'll love it, the whole city is geared up for cyclists.

Take on board the great advice that's already been given and you'll have a great time.

The Netherlands is heaven for cyclists. In the centre of Amsterdam you are on the roads but there aren't that many cars and they are all very cyclist aware. As you get out towards the suburbs you'll find that there are more separate tracks etc for cyclists. The bike racks do get pretty full. We loved it but also walked and took the boat.

Something I haven't tried, but would like to.
If you search You Tube for cycling Amsterdam you'll find lots of clips that may be of interest.
Looking like tourists strikes me as a good tip!