Especially around Central Station, main squares and markets there are limitations. It’s a tough world out there, especially for novice tourists who haven’t sat on a bike seat since they were a kid. Some General Rules. Interesting Facts About Cycling in Amsterdam All streets are bike lanes. 3. The narrow, winding streets of Amsterdam's historic 17th-century city centre are definitely best navigated by bike. I can’t repeat this enough! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Trucks can’t see you when you are riding next to them. Don’t put your bike in a parking space for cars. If cars ride on the right side of the roads, so do bikes. Go in the bike lane. As someone terrorized by tourists who visit Amsterdam who bike on the sidewalk, expect people to curse you out and treat you awfully. Always let a truck go first. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There is always an ‘exception’ sign (in Dutch: ‘uitzondering’), but people in Amsterdam, don’t need a sign and will ride any one-way street if there is no bike lane. Cycling is one of the best ways to get around Amsterdam, and no visitor should leave without experiencing the city's world famous bike culture. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. When you are a tourist or an expat in Amsterdam and you want to ride a bike, it’s best that you learn the official rules of cycling in The Netherlands. Cycling in the city can be hectic, especially if you're not used to Amsterdam-style traffic! Outside Amsterdam central station there is the well known 3-storey fietsflat which can store 2,500 bikes. Cycling is the most economical, sustainable, efficient and fun way to explore th... Amsterdam is the perfect city to explore by bike. In Amsterdam, 70% of trips in the city center are by bike, yet only 11% of public space is allocated to that mode. These cookies use information about your browsing history to group you with other users who have similar interests. Obey the bike traffic lights which show a red, yellow or green bicycle. And to avoid theft, lock your bike to something secure and immovable. Thanks to the many bike paths in the city, pedal power is all you need to uncover the city’s gems on your own, or as part of a guided bike tour. Let the Bike Instructor guide you through the potential pitfalls of cycling in Amsterdam, and soon you’ll be cycling just like a local! Also, Amsterdam has around 400 km of bike paths and, put together, people cycle 2 million km every day in the city. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If there is no fietspad keep to the right and ride with the traffic. Use the bike racks and designated areas to place your bike in Amsterdam. In most cases, there is a bike lane, but in the city center not. They typically feature white lines and bike symbols painted on the road or on the reddish-colored path. If you don't need to be somewhere, wait until the rush calms down. Some two-way lanes are on one side only. Check here to Subscribe to notifications for new posts. In Amsterdam, to avoid fines (in Dutch: ‘boete’), follow these rules: Parked bicycles are one of Amsterdam biggest annoyances. The bicycle may end up in the canal if you do. Double-parked cars and taxis dropping off passengers on the outside vehicle lanes essentially translates to ONE flowing traffic lane. For example, We also use cookies to save your language preference. 10 Tips for Visiting the Anne Frank House, Why You Should Try Amsterdam’s Museums Even If…, Best Christmas markets in the Netherlands. 2006: Amsterdam begins implementing annual cyclist satisfaction survey that is applied to city planning. If you placed your bike where it is not allowed, your bike may have been taken away by the city council. Driving next to each other is not illegal, but the Amsterdam bikers consider this a private option: only reserved for experienced cyclists! Always follow the detour for bicycles if there is one. Plus, if you're inexperienced or nervous about traffic, the expert guides and rental shops can set you up and offer great advice. This helps us to determine how frequently particular pages and advertisements are visited and to determine the most popular areas of our website. When you want to turn left or right, (or stop at the side of the road), you need to signal by sticking out your hand. For tourists, cycling in Amsterdam is like watching geese fly: they all seem to know what they’re doing, but you have no idea why they don’t bump into each other. However, most people in Amsterdam still find logic and happiness in parking their bikes within a maximum of two meters of the place where they need to be. Are you going to visit Amsterdam or its area and would you like to answer a few questions about your trip? Don’t wander into a lane in front of a bike. Renting a bike or taking a guided cycle tour is a great way to discover the city and can be quite an adventure! People on a racing bike always wear one though. The rules are very strict. Crossing Lanes on Foot Darn! Use multiple locks and be sure to lock your bike to something solid. If you get your rental bike empounded, you may be looking at some higher costs from the rental company, so make sure to check the terms on your agreement. Here are a few things to keep in mind after you hire a bicycle: Stay in your lane: use the bicycle lane on the right-hand side of the … Functional cookies record information about choices that you have made, and they also allow us to tailor the website to suit your needs. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. As a pedestrian in Amsterdam, don’t expect any courtesy from cyclists. Walk your bike on crowded streets and in … A bicycle is considered a “vehicle” and the person riding the bicycle is considered a “driver”for purposes laws that apply to the operation and use of vehicles. These cookies track your browsing habits to enable us to show advertising which is more likely to be of interest to you. Light at night: it’s required by law to use front and back lights on your bicycle after dark. The new regulation will require all blue-plate mopeds to use the main roadway in around 80% of the area inside the A10 ring road. Get out of its way when it turns. Explore more of Amsterdam with these specially created bike routes. Based on that information, and with our permission, third-party advertisers can place cookies to enable them to show adverts which we think will be relevant to your interests while you are on third-party websites. Speed is limited to 30 km per hour. Helmets are not obligated in Holland and nobody wears one, for practical reasons. This bike lane is broad enough for two cyclists, generally, it follows the same idea as cars. the Bike Instructor's guide to safe cycling in Amsterdam, the City of Amsterdam's bike parking guidelines. Give a sign: always signal before turning by putting your hand out. For more details on getting your bike back, visit the City of Amsterdam's website. Requirements for bicycle lights and reflectors. Intuitively they know how fast the other bikes are going, whether the car has seen the and whether the other biker could possibly be an aggressive person you need to stay out of the way of. Crossing traffic can get crazy. As of 2018, polluting cars cannot also not get a parking license. How to get from the airport to Amsterdam? 40-1-1(14)(75). Keep an eye on other traffic: scooters zip down the bike lanes, taxis speed down the tram rails, and large delivery vans might have trouble seeing you if you’re biking in their blind spot. Cars, by contrast, account for 25% of trips, yet are given 44% of space. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. A nyone who has ever tried to make their way through the centre of Amsterdam in a car knows it: the city is owned by cyclists. After parking, look at it: is it not obstructing a pathway? (in Dutch: ‘omleiding’). Cyclists take preference when they are in a bike lane and a car wants to cross the bike lane (turn right). This is bike lane porn: protected intersections are the hottest thing around. (O.C.G.A. It will be signposted. A typical Amsterdam street scene sees countless cyclists either heading to or from work, transporting young children to school, or carrying anything f... Cycling is a fun, efficient and easy way of getting around Amsterdam - just like the locals do! Tram rails are your enemy. Never ride a bike in a pedestrian area, like the pavement. Cars and trams have their own lights which may not correspond with the bike … Tips for biking in Amsterdam: Lock your bike. This one confused me the most, and after more research apparently it confused many other people, so this rule may soon come to an end. Wear one, just in case. If you think adding a bike lane to Amsterdam is a good idea, I suggest you spend some time on Columbus Avenue. The Amsterdam bikes go fast and you need to stay out of their way. Sometimes there will be a warning but usually, it will just have disappeared without a trace. 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