The best ways to see Amsterdam by bike

Tips for renting a bike in Amsterdam

There are a lot of places where you can rent a bike in Amsterdam. To make sure you get a good one there are a couple of things to pay attention to when you do.

• Choose a bicycle that is the right size for your height
• Adjust the saddle to the right height so you can bike ride comfortably
• For safety reasons it’s best to have both a handbrake and a pedal brake
• Bike theft is an issue in Amsterdam, so you’ll want a bike with two locks for when you park your bike, one for the back wheel and one to attach the bicycle to something

When you ride on your own, you always want to follow the rules of the road, even if the locals don’t. Stick to the bike lanes as much as possible, in Amsterdam they usually have red pavement. Some roads are for pedestrians only, so no bicycles allowed!

It might be tempting to take that iconic video of you cycling in Amsterdam, but you should know that you can be fined € 140 just for holding your phone while cycling. Another thing that can result in a hefty fine is cycling while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (€ 200). And if you are riding at night make sure to turn your front and back lights on or you risk a € 60 fine.