Thousands of bicycles in Amsterdam.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Amsterdam? I bet most people would say “The red light district or Marijuana”. It is true, I thought so myself, but after my second visit I changed my mind. Bicycles! Loads and loads of bicycles!
I have never seen so many bicycles in my life! You really have to see it to believe it. Most bicycles look the same but you find some very funny looking bikes!
People in Amsterdam like to bike.
People in Amsterdam like to bike. It is not important if it is raining or snowing, biking is on the agenda. There are +- 700,000 Amsterdammers and more than 1 million bikes!! Incredible when you think about it.
Every Dutch person has at least one bike and there are twice as many bikes as cars. I was reading that +- 30 000 bikes end up in canals every year. Teenagers think it’s quite funny to take a tourist’s bike and throw it into the water. So next time you are in Amsterdam keep a good eye on your bike.
When I was in Amsterdam the last time we rented bicycles and I must admit we had so much fun. Biking in Amsterdam is not easy, especially with all the other bikes in the vicinity. But it is an incredible way to explore the city as Amsterdam is bike friendly with many bike paths.
Bike renting outlets are available everywhere and you can rent bikes for an hour, day,week or month.
Here are some safety tips for biking in Amsterdam:
- Know where to ride.
- Give right of way
- Use a map (not while riding!)
- See the signs
- Clear the way and keep moving
- Use your hands
- Lock it when you leave it
A fuel efficient folk! Great photos! I love the Free Spirit sign:)
Hi Debra, thank you! I agree fuel efficient and fun 🙂
Nice fun fact! Great photos.
Hi Sweepy Jean, thank you for popping in 🙂
I want one! As in the second photo.. priceless thank you Nelieta
My first thought about Amsterdam was tulips 🙂 I love the European culture in relation to traffic. I rode through France and Denmark, like Amsterdam they are so set up for the 2 wheeled traveller and what a way to see the cities.
Hola Alejandro, jajaja, I thought you wanted one that was ending up in the canal! No on a serious note that is a funny looking bike but they are all very comfortable and easy to use. This one doesn't look to comfy, what do you think?
Hi Sarah-Jane, my next blog entry will be about the tulips..lol! Isn't it great to be able to cycle like that in Europe. I just love it! It is really an awesome experience!
Hi Cathy, the next blog entry about the Tulips will be for you and Sarah-Jane! I have some lovely photos 🙂 Glad you've enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by!
I was thinking tulips too! But you do see more of a place from a bike than from a car…great post!
Ive only seen few abandoned bike in Paris but there are new bikes at the city centre for hire! Im very impressed about it, something that doable with other cities around the world, especially to reduce air pollution.On a personal note: as part of my 2011 blogging for my travelsite, Im featuring those bloggers that I'm personally like. In this regard, I would like to ask you if you are interested to take part. I will send you a set of questions relating to travel. These questions are bit personal in nature and I think having you featured in my blog could provide my readers some information on how other travel bloggers like you became interested in moving around the world. The post will be linked to your blogsite as well. What do you think? Thanks.
Hi Rey, thank you for the comment and invite. I will gladly participate especially if my travelling experiences could help other people. Please feel free to email me the survey (my contact details are on the hostel page) and I will return it to you soon.Getting back to my biking blog, I wish more countries would make biking a way of living. It is healty for individuals and it helps to preserve the environment 🙂
"there are twice as many cars as bikes"This isn't true of course 🙂 Probably the other way around.
Hi Arjen, thank you for pointing out the typo 🙂 I am fixing it right now!
I definitely saw some really cool bikes when I was in Amsterdam. I would have loved to join them, but was afraid of holding up traffic and walked instead. 🙂
Hi Rachel, biking was fun but I think we were also holding up people. Some did get upset with us 🙂 Walking in Amsterdam is also fun! If you have some photos of the cool bikes please leave your link here.
Hi Rachel, biking was fun but I think we were also holding up people. Some did get upset with us 🙂 Walking in Amsterdam is also fun! If you have some photos of the cool bikes please leave your link here.
Hola Alejandro, jajaja, I thought you wanted one that was ending up in the canal! No on a serious note that is a funny looking bike but they are all very comfortable and easy to use. This one doesn't look to comfy, what do you think?
Hi Sweepy Jean, thank you for popping in 🙂
Hi Cathy, the next blog entry about the Tulips will be for you and Sarah-Jane! I have some lovely photos 🙂 Glad you've enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by!
Your post is great Do they use lots of cycle in this country ??..And you last part saying "Lock it when your leave it " which remained my university cycle .if we go without putting a lock then very next moment some one takes it .. Bicycle is always great to ride …
Thanks Sheril! Yes they have more than 1 million bicycles in Holland. The best way to explore Amsterdam is by bike. Always lock you bike..always 🙂 There are some naughty people or the malicious ones who will steal everything and leave the lock only! Biking is great!
what an awesome post. I love all the photos. I thought there were a lot of bikes here in Eugene, we have a long way to go to catch up to this. <3
Thank you so much Jan! Amsterdam has a lot and I remember the first time when I saw them. I was totally amazed!
Wow..those are a lot of bikes! I think that's so great though. Great for the environment and people's health! Great post..I loved the pics..especially of all the bikes covered in snow!
Thank you Jessica! I have never seen so many bicycles together in one place. I had a lot of fun renting bicycles with some of my former colleagues and exploring Amsterdam. Like you say it is great for the environment and for your health.
Thank you so much Amy! Now dust off that bike and take up that riding..LOL! I did a lot of cycling when I was younger (even in competitions) but now I am so lazy and prefer to walk 🙂
WOW…AWESOME POST! We are finally becoming more two wheeled friendly in the States — this makes me want to take up riding! A couple years back me and a few friends of mine each wrote on a piece of paper one thing we wanted to accomplish during that year…and I wrote bicycling! I forgot about that — until now! This post reminded me of that…hmm I think I need to do what I said I was going to do…thanks for reminding me (I think *wink*) 🙂
Wow! I've never seen a city of bicycles. It looks very interesting as a source of transpo plus one doesn't have to worry about parking spaces ;).It's the main attraction :)… and yet my main problem would be is…I don't ride bikes. It's one of the things I didn't learn while I was growing up :P… Can I just take a walk there?
Hi Melissa, that is so interesting that you would mention about the bicycles. There are so many people who have never been on a bike. There is always a first…please give it a try..it is fun! Amsterdam is a beautiful town for biking and walking my friend! I am sure you would love it!!!