Renting Bikes in Amsterdam
Why
not see Amsterdam at a faster pace aboard two wheels? It’s the perfect way to
stay cool in the summer time.
The number one thing people notice when
they step out of Central Station is the sheer incredible number of bicycles in
the city of Amsterdam. Cycling is THE form of transport in the Netherlands and
has been for a very long time. The main reason it is so popular is the unique lay
of the land which is largely flat. In case you didn’t know, the Netherlands is
built upon reclaimed land from the sea so there are no natural hills. This is truly
wonderful news for whizzing about quickly on two wheels from A to B. Renting a
bicycle from one of the many hire shops in the city centre is one of the most
popular visitor activities all year round. If you are visiting the city for a
relaxing holiday then exploring Amsterdam at a leisurely pace comes highly
recommended. It’s not only a healthy, easy, and eco-friendly way to travel but
also quick, convenient, extremely cheap and lots of FUN!
In central Amsterdam over 60% of all trips
are made on a bicycle and there are an estimated one million bicycles in
regular use in the city. That’s more than one per person in the city. As a result
the infrastructure of the city has been designed with the bicycle in mind so
they really do seem to rule the city. When crossing streets on foot be sure to
look both ways as being run into by a speedy cyclist is no fun for either
party. The good news is that cyclists are very aware of inexperienced visitors
to the city. Holland’s bicycle friendly approach is of course far from common
in the rest of the world and you are likely to hear the friendly ring of metal
bells before any messy collision can occur.
Bicycle
Rental Shops in Amsterdam
There are so many bicycle hire shops in the
city centre today, all offering their own competitive prices. All of our
excellent short stay apartments are located within close vicinity of at least
one such bicycle rental facility. The general rule of
thumb is that the longer you hire the bike for, the cheaper it becomes per
hour. You can hire for just one hour if you really want to but bear in mind
that you need to get back in time for the check-in time. We would recommend
hiring bicycles for a minimum of 24 hours.
You will need to leave a form of official
ID at the office. Driving licences and passports are accepted. There will also
be a necessary returnable deposit and an optional insurance policy (around
three Euros normally).
Parking
and locking your bike.
You will be given two good quality locks
with the bicycle and you can park it up anywhere secure in the city. Be sure to
lock the bike to something permanently stationary like a railing or designated
bicycle park. Avoid attaching the lock to private property or trees who most
surely won’t appreciate a chain wrapped around their delicate bark! Also lock
your bikes together if possible. Sadly over 80,000 bicycles are stolen every
year in Amsterdam however the hire bicycles are less popular with thieves as
they are nearly impossible to sell. Now you know why so many people paint and
customise their bicycles to such garish extremes. Not only will it put off
potential thieves, it is much easier to spot your two wheels amongst a sea of
literally thousands of handlebars at the bicycle parking zone.
Cycling
on the ‘not so mean’ streets of Amsterdam.
At first sight, particularly around Dam
Square, you might have extremely apprehensive feelings about climbing aboard
two wheels in this city. The bicycles appear to travel in huge packs,
particularly at rush hour and that is at first very daunting, no doubt. In
reality however cycling is extremely safe in the Netherlands as there are over
400kms of bike lanes in the city to use to get around. Most of the time you
will have lots of space around you. Unlike in other European cities you are
almost always separated from the main traffic on major roads. You have right of
way unless the traffic lights suggest other ways. Junctions even feature
special bicycle traffic lights specifically for cyclists. Follow the lights and
cycle to the right at all times and all will be fine. If you are worried about
large junctions, of which there are very few in central Amsterdam, then simply
hop off and wheel the bike along the pavement if you feel safer.
Personal
Safety
You will notice people very very rarely
wear cycle helmets in Amsterdam. This remains a controversial issue up for
regular debate with the government and health and safety organisations. Many visitors to the city are alarmed at the
number of small children being escorted around town on the back, front and side
of bicycles by their parents, again with no kind of head protection. Often older children are simply balanced on
the back with no form of seat belt. However there is no denying it is safer to
cycle in Amsterdam than in any other European city in the world. Collisions
occur generally with other cyclists (at slower speeds than cars) and with
absent minded pedestrians. Helmets and seat belts would of course still make
for a safer outcome.
City Bicycle Rental Companies
Bike
City
– www.bikecity.nl
Bloemgracht 68-70, 1015 TL AMSTERDAM
Tel: (0031) 20-6263721
Email: info@bikecity.nl
Holland
Rent-a-bike Beursstalling
– (No website)
Damrak 247, 1012 ZJ AMSTERDAM
Tel: (0031) 20 6223207
Mike’s
Bike Tours
– www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com
Kerkstraat 134, 1017 GP AMSTERDAM
Tel: (0031) 20 6227970
Email: mikesbiketoursamsterdam@yahoo.com
Ajaxbike
– www.ajaxbike.nl
Gerard Doustraat 153, 1073 VW AMSTERDAM
Tel: (0031) 615684831
Amsterbike
– www.amsterbike.eu
Piet Heinkade 11A, 1019 BR AMSTERDAM
(0031) 20-4199063
Email: info@amsterbike.eu
Yellow Bike
Rental
–
www.yellowbike.nl
Nieuwezijds Kolk 29, 1012 PV AMSTERDAM Tel:
(0031) 20 6206940
Email: info@yellowbike.nl
Damstraat
Rent A Bike
– www.rentabike.nl
Damstraat 20-22, 1012 JM AMSTERDAM Tel:
(0031) 20 6255029
Email: info@rentabike.nl
Mac Bike Rental –
www.macbike.nl
Email:
info@macbike.nl
Mac Bike Central Station Oost Shop
– Stationsplein 12, 1012 AB
Amsterdam Tel: (0031) 20 4285778
Mac Bike Central Station West Shop –
Stationsplein 33, 1012 AB
Amsterdam Tel: (0031) 20 625 3845
Mac Bike Waterlooplein Shop
– Waterlooplein 199, 1011 PG
Amsterdam Tel: (0031)20 4287005
Mac Bike Head Office
–
Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 114
, 1011 LX Amster
dam Tel:
(0031) 20 620 09 85
Mac Bike Leidseplein
–
Weteringschans 2, 1017
SG AMSTERDAM
Tel: (0031) 20 5287688
Note:
This information was accurate at time of posting but often establishments change without notice. Please be sure to confirm details directly with the locations before making plans. Copyright 2013.
