Bicycles - Good idea or not?

[Kingdoc]

I voted good idea, not so keen around the Dam, prefer to use the trams and my feet.

But in other cities, like Lieden and the country side, its the best.

Yea haarlem seemed a better place for a cycle is you ask me! or like MH says take a cycle out to ijmuiden & the coast.

[Boner]

Talking of bikes, the wife and I have ordered ourselves a beach cruiser each, this is the one I'm having:

[milehigh]

Talking of bikes, the wife and I have ordered ourselves a beach cruiser each, this is the one I'm having:

Very nice, BUT you will regret not having fenders. Even a puddle becomes a nuisance.

[Boner]

I can buy some at a later date.

Edit: I'm getting it in Silver:



(Unless they only have black in stock then I'll just have the black instead of waiting )

[MMMladen]

how is with stealing. Are there many thefts. My father told my when he was young and was in holland you could leave bike anywhere and nobody took it.

[editdroid]

how is with stealing. Are there many thefts. My father told my when he was young and was in holland you could leave bike anywhere and nobody took it.

Yep. It's still just like that.

[Andrey]

Got me interested. Any books on that? Like full detail on rules...

Do I park like ANYWHERE??? What if it's get stolen? Any areas where you can't ride a bike? What if I lay it down to grab some food and when back it's not there? Is it legal to drive stoned?

[Boner]

You can park anywhere that doesn't have a no parking sign on it.

Make sure you have the proper insurance when you rent the bike, it's normally included in the price, if it gets stolen you take the key back as proof that you locked it up.

There are some roads that are pedestrian only these are sign posted.

If you leave your bike lock it up, dont think I'll only be 30 seconds, thats all the time they need.

I dont know, I cycle stoned and drunk when in Amsterdam.

----------------------------

I should be getting my new bike this week, went back to having it in black in the end, silver was too glitzy for my liking.

[happydaze777]

I love cycling around Amsterdam, but don't do it enough more recently... *note to self, cycle more* If I am there for more than a week, I usually buy a cheap bike and sell it back at the end of my trip. There are a couple of places I have done this from and the most I ever 'paid' for 3 weeks of 'hire' was 20 euros. I have always managed to get a good deal on a bike AND good lock/chain. If you don't have a fab lock/chain in Amsterdam, you don't have a bike! I can remember the days you could easily buy a (stolen) bike on Dam Squ for 10/20 Guilders... ( I was young and didn't know better! )

I once took to two wheels with a lady friend I was introducing to Amsterdam... The locals were pretty brutal with her, poor lass. She was in tears within the hour. I have never had any problems, stoned or whatever, but she was quite dappy and was getting berated every which way she turned, or tried to...

[Andrey]

That's decided! I'm renting a bike! I loved this place for location: http://www.bikecity.nl/rentalrates/

anyone tried them? They have 3 different bikes, I wonder which is more comfy....

Also I can't remember bikes at night there... not many? not a best idea?

Smoking weed while riding a bike, that's quite an attraction! ^)

[Boner]

That's decided! I'm renting a bike! I loved this place for location: http://www.bikecity.nl/rentalrates/

anyone tried them? They have 3 different bikes, I wonder which is more comfy....

Also I can't remember bikes at night there... not many? not a best idea?

Smoking weed while riding a bike, that's quite an attraction! ^)

I'd always go for whatever is the nearest to where I'm staying, if it is this place go for the coaster brake its the only way to do it.

Yeah biking at night is fine as long as you use your lights, most rentals have a dynamo one so it's all good.

[Andrey]

I just don't understand why a bike needs 7 speeds? Is this to sweat more?

Check out, found 2 more places to rent:

http://www.macbike.nl/
http://www.starbikesrental.com/

[Boner]

You only need 1 speed in Amsterdam.

I used this one during my last trip:

http://www.discountbikerental.nl/

Another one if you want to hire a beach cruiser type bike:

http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/

Finally lots on google maps:

Google maps link.

[happydaze777]

Try to aviod the 'tourist bikes' the one with the big badges on sreaming out I AM A TOURIST! Also if you get a 'dutch' style bike, don't be surprised if it has no brakes, just try peddling backwards...

[Boner]

Try to aviod the 'tourist bikes' the one with the big badges on sreaming out I AM A TOURIST! Also if you get a 'dutch' style bike, don't be surprised if it has no brakes, just try peddling backwards...

If it's your first time cycling around a: Amsterdam b: a busy city centre I'd suggest that they get a typical tourist bike at least that way other people know you're not used to it.