slackercruster

I read renting bikes are a good way to get around in Amsterdam. Has anyone had any probles with having bikes stolen while there?

PatrickLondon

Can't help with your specific question, but I find public transport and Shanks's pony are fine for getting around, without having to worry about a rental bike (not so much the theft thing as parking it).

hetismij2

Rental bikes have locks on them, just as all Dutch bikes do. That doesn't mean they can't be stolen though.
Far more concerning would be your ability to cope with cycling in Amsterdam, with the traffic, the trams, and last but not least the Amsterdammers on bikes, who are a rule unto themselves. Be prepared for a back pedal only brake too.

You can get around the city very well on foot and using public transport. If you want to ride a bike maybe head out of the city first and enjoy a bike ride through the countryside.

suec1

Agree with hetismij - when you get there you will see if you think you will feel comfortable. I'd be much more concerned about the traffic than theft. We took a train to the Harlem station and rented bikes there for a lovely pedal to the coast. In the city, it's easy to walk around or take the trams.

lateinlifetraveler

Agree with hetismi and suec1. You have to see them in action to believe it. In the countryside it can be fun.

330east

Well, are you able to ride at 40 mph, no hands on handlebars, eating, talking, not caring about pedestrians and cars at cross streets etc etc? If so, go for it.

Bamaman

No sight like a beautiful, blonde 6' Dutch girl riding down the street talking on a cellphone tucked under her chin.

The city has hundreds of thousands of bikes stolen every year. That's why everyone rides low quality bicycles.

Go ahead and rent your bike, but just be sure it's locked up well when you leave it.

slackercruster

Thanks for all the feedback.

Sounds like the public trasnport is more promising.

PatrickLondon

All about public transport in Amsterdam:
http://en.gvb.nl

Sue_xx_yy

slackercruster

I cannot speak from experience, as I have yet to do our own rental, but the bike rental outlets that I have checked offer you the option of buying theft insurance for € 3 per day. As with car theft insurance, you are still expected to take proper precautions - i.e. lock the bike (using both locks) and to present evidence of having reported the theft to police. If you plan a bike ride, I suggest 'recreational' bike rides only, i.e. no leaving the bikes unattended to visit museums, etc. At most, your party can take turns watching the (locked) bikes so that members can take washroom breaks, etc. etc.

If you go on google maps and type in an itinerary, say 'amsterdam centraal to rijksmuseum' and click on the bike symbol, you will get not only a map with suggested routes, but suggested routes printed in 1 - dark green (dedicated bike path), 2 - lighter green (streets with a marked bike lane) and 3 - dotted green - bike friendly, i.e. generally quieter streets. Use Google street view to check out the appearance of various parts of the route and assess for yourself what conditions could be like.

*** <b> However, I would never advocate to anyone, anywhere, that they cycle in ANY city without familiarizing themselves with the common dangers to cyclists mixing with cars: </b> ***

http://www.bicycling.com/training-nu...ion/ride-smart

Note that on routes with marked bike lanes (not dedicated bike paths) the door prize is still a very real possibility.

In short, if you have never cycled in your home city, I do not recommend trying to learn the art of city cycling whilst abroad. My suggestion if you are still wary: bike around Keukenhof. Lots of dedicated bike paths. Or take a bike tour.

Sue_xx_yy

Note - by "biking around Keukenhof" I don't mean inside the famous gardens. I mean in the area around the park (the bike rental company at Keukenhof will supply maps with suggested routes.)

snowgirls

We are very experienced cyclists but opted out of doing it there. So easy to walk everywhere and never have to worry about a rental being stolen.http://www.dutchamsterdam.nl/857-sto...s-in-amsterdam