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I've biked around the city once before but I'm studying google maps for biking on our scheduled May trip.

1. Many of the streets show as one-way. Are all/ or almost all of those one way streets available for bikes to go both ways???

2. We are staying just NW of Vondel Park but was thinking of a day trip on bicycle to Edam or even Hoorn: bike to ferry to N AMS and bike from there.
Rental granny bikes. Would that be doable/ a nice day trip?

3. Any advice on where to rent one bike for 5 days?

do able trip. You will enjoy it

i like bike city - good prices, good bikes (I rent for 3 weeks when i am there and have used them for years)

one way atreets - when cars and trucks are present it is easier to just go in the right direction... although, it is Amsterdam and bikes do go in all directions

have a great trip

Thanks worldcitizen,

I was just looking at Google maps where we're staying SW and if you had to obey one ways on bikes, the way in towards the center would be
very long and weird.

If this (my second trip is as awesome as the first), I'd like to stay much longer than 7 days next time.

Is there a suggested way to find longer term rentals (hopefully cheaper) like for 4 weeks/ 6 weeks/ 8 weeks??
thanks

You might find this interesting.

http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/

Enjoy
FlyByNite

Fly By Nite,
thanks-I loved those bike pics as their bike scene is so cool.

My borrowed bike had a 20 pound lock/chain that went in the front basket that made riding the bike really unstable. On a turn, that heavy
weight would go off center and want to steer you sideways.

But going from Central Station to south De Pijp, I'd bike with my buddy to his tram and always beat him by 15 minutes... circling out wide on Singel Canal

You might want to check out Frederic.

http://www.frederic.nl/en/bike-tours-re ... entalbike/

You get a bike that looks local, no bright yellow McBikes.

If I was going long term, just buy a used one ( and a good lock )
I seem to remember a place that puts together bikes from parts
and sells them and will buy them back at a later date.
I'll see if I can find a link for them.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

i have had terrible luck with bikes from Frederics
they break down quickly and are not great for long hauls
it is really hit and miss. The idea of planning a substantial trip with a questionable bike is not my idea of a good time

after trying them two times and having alot of bike issues - i gave up
and for a week or longer the price comes out the same with bike city -- ($5.00 a day)
so from my experience it is a non issue and a no brainer

as far as finding places - it is getting more and more difficult (used to be a breeze 10 years ago)
i do a whole lot of google searches.... over and over trying to find what I want
even my old favorite sites are no longer there
appears the rental sites are being bought by the bigger players
be deligent and keep digging.

there are also home exchange sites that can be helpful and sabbatical sites too.

recycled bikes is what fly by night is thinking of
I tried to rent from them - but they are usually out of bikes when I have gone
I never found a used bike that was cheaper than renting - especially when you add a good lock and i have been doing this since the
mid '90's....just my 2 cents

FlyByNite wrote:You might find this interesting.

http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/

Enjoy
FlyByNite

Yes that was interesting! Read through the whole thing, and I have to agree about the gigant locks, and the bikes with very small wheels and a high seat, havent really seen that anywhere else tbh.

FlyByNite wrote:You might want to check out Frederic.

http://www.frederic.nl/en/bike-tours-re ... entalbike/

You get a bike that looks local, no bright yellow McBikes.

If I was going long term, just buy a used one ( and a good lock )
I seem to remember a place that puts together bikes from parts
and sells them and will buy them back at a later date.
I'll see if I can find a link for them.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

Oh, I see that frederic have apartments, house boats and rooms too...any one tried them?

Black-King wrote:the bikes with very small wheels and a high seat, havent really seen that anywhere else tbh.

Those are folding ikes and can be taken on the trains for free.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

Aha, thats the reason why they have them! Ok, now I know.

Black-King wrote:

FlyByNite wrote:You might want to check out Frederic.

http://www.frederic.nl/en/bike-tours-re ... entalbike/

You get a bike that looks local, no bright yellow McBikes.

If I was going long term, just buy a used one ( and a good lock )
I seem to remember a place that puts together bikes from parts
and sells them and will buy them back at a later date.
I'll see if I can find a link for them.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

Oh, I see that frederic have apartments, house boats and rooms too...any one tried them?

We send all our guests there. Fredric is a very cool old Dutch guy married to a French lady. He speaks fluent french, Dutch, German, and English. His son runs the business most of the time now. The bikes there are fine and blend in much better then other rental bikes. His accommodations are a little dated but always clean and he has some of the best locations in the city. I get all my guests bikes there and have my repairs done there. If you don't like a bike or it seems weak, just speak up and he'll get you what ever you need. I do suggest understanding the rules before taking off on a bike that looks local. Do not ride the wrong way on a bike path. Do stay to the right except to pass. Only use your bell when it is necessary. Don't try stunt bike tricks. You'll look like a dick and will make no friends. Regardless of what you see locals doing, obey the stop lights and other signals as the bike police are not as forgiving as they used to be and it can cost you dearly in fines and fees. Make sure your lights and bell work before leaving rental place. Do use both locks and be very careful where you lock your bike up. Everything has changed and you will come back to an empty spot if you don't pay attention to the signs directing you where you can lock up safely. Just my 2cents.

Mike's bikes are good too.
http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/ ... amsterdam/