Beechtree

We are going to be in Amsterdam for 3 days and thanks to this board
have checked out many options like Mike's. This week I was told by a friend who lived in Europe 10+ years ago that bikes are available all over the city for anyone to use. What you do is ride it and leave it at the next place for someone else to use. He said these are old bikes available to anyone but that bikes that belong to specific owners are locked (generally bikes in much better shape). I've never been to Amsterdam and never heard of such a thing. Is (or was) this ever done.

Grasshopper

Boy, I would hesitate to help myself to a bike that I saw laying around! I've been to Amsterdam many times and haven't noticed bikes for the taking (that you wouldn't risk being arrested for taking!)

Travelnut

I haven't seen that advertised but I had heard of it being offered in some cities. We just go to Mac Bike and rent them, including the insurance. Evidently, bike theft is a frequent occurrence. We once took a photo of a shiny new red bike that was locked down with 26, yes 26, different locks!

KS452

The "Witfiets" (white bikes) shared-use project has been tried a couple of times in Amsterdam, first in the 1960's and most recently from @ 1999-2002. In the 1970's they tried a Witkar (white car) scheme too. All have failed. Anyway, the white bikes scheme was largely designed for residents, not tourists, to use within half-hour increments - and most of the stations were in residential areas.

Bike theft is still a very big problem so always lock and anchor it. (locking both rims to the frame is recommended)
Keep in mind that locking a bike to a tree, bridge or lamp post is (supposedly) forbidden, giving authorities cause for removal. These sites will provide more info about this topic --

http://home.deds.nl/~quip/deel/witfiets.html

http://www.mit.edu/people/masam/e/bi...ases/depo.html

www.fietsendiefstal.nl
[click "english" at top of page]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/0...kes.gps1.reut/

note: the 2nd site (mit) says there is another trial underway at the Waterlooplein.

Beechtree

Thanks for the info especially ks452. Mike's or Mac Bikes and good locks/ locking routines will be the order of the day.