yes, that’s right..secure the bikes with HUGE chains… Y? i lost a bike within 20 minutes of locking it sumwer near the station… Y? because i used a small lock which has been ’sawed’ by a thief within 10 mins and probably already sold it to someone for 10 EUR by the time i was looking for it

its true… you cannot be too careful … because the bike thieves have the equipment as well to cut off or saw the chains that lock the bicycle.. as a matter of extra precaution, most bikes in Amsterdam are also equipped with a tire lock installed at the rear wheel.

We need more bike usage in the States. Trouble is, nothing is local!

i didn’t quite get that… u mean your bikes are imported? must be from China then..
Good thing here, there are really big bike factories and anything u need for bikes such as accessories or spare parts are readily available at bike shops.

Canada has terrible cold winters, even in its warmest locations. Summer-times are short here, but usually warm enough for bikes. We are at a decided disadvantage especially in winter and must waste heating fuel and fuel for transportation, as well as import most our green foods. Thankfully we have a lot of oil of our own, unfortunately the Americans hog it all, and drive prices up, even though they have the better climate and can easily organize their system for more bikes and rail transportation. As their sad and wasteful empire draws slowly to its end, we Canadians are still stuck in the snow at least 6 months of the year, and have to pay through the nose for even short trips!

You mentioned system.. yes that is the key for a “biking society” to succeed. The government should be able to adopt bikes in their transport system. Bike lanes, bike parking stands, bike depositories, and general safety because bikers, car drivers and pedestrians alike know exactly who has the right of way, where ever, when ever. There are actually rules for all sides… its not that its biased for bikers. The rules were formulated for the benefit and safety of all. Dutch biking society flourished because the system was not only acceptable to the people but also beneficial to the economy and the government.

Nothings local in the US as in work/school/etc is often hours away, making biking impractical in many situations. However, I do bike to school. But for the working population work is almost always too far away to do that.

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Bike porn!

I think Damian’s point is that european urban areas have an advantage over american urban areas because they were built up before the invention of the car so things are close to each other and it’s easy to bike back and forth whereas in the US most of our big cities didn’t get big until the last century so they’re planned on the assumption that everyone will drive and are much less dense. that’s starting to change with the movement towards urban infill and densification, but it will take time to get us to the point where bikes can compete effectively with cars.

love the pics, very inspiring!

@ ferrettsyl hmmm that’s something to ponder…. i’ve never been to the US and i don’t know the situation there…but that gives a light on what Damien was referring to.. thank you!

@lynx I see the point now… considering Amsterdam is such a small city compared to big cities in the US. But actually the main reason why bikes are more popular is because car traffic here is really getting too congested along with the car parking getting to an exasperating point..unless the company you work for provides or pay for your parking space but that too is not so common.

I live in Chicago here in the States, and I can tell you biking is definitely on the rise in the cities, though nowhere near the level of these great shots of Amsterdam. The city is making pushes to get biking to be even more popular and installing the infrastructure needed to do it safely. Many of our major streets have dedicated bike lanes along the outside, and bike racks are popping up everywhere. We even have public biking events to try and promote it, like the recent “Bike the Drive” where they shut down the major road Lake Shore Drive for a morning so bikers can take in the beautiful lake views and not have to worry about getting run over. Winter poses a bit of problem here, but I know a good number of people who bike in all but white-out blizzard conditions.

that’s a good start… sooner or later it will catch up with everyone… as soon as people realize its possibilities and doubts had been set aside. good luck and thank you for stopping by to comment. cheers!

[...] Amsterdam Bicycles published at Chat is not for Dummies: These are breathtaking photos a friend took in Amsterdam, of bicyclists and bicycles. Apparently they figure into the culture much more than here in the states. I for one am jealous of the fun they appear to be having in everyday life. [...]

I can lose my car in an empty parking lot. How on earth do you keep track of yours when there are 50,000 others crammed into the same lot? I suppose that would make me a rather pedestrian, er… pedestrian. At least my shoes are tied to my feet where I find it a bit more difficult to lose them. I would have an entirely different set of problems in Japan, I suppose.

lol… its a matter of instincts….(and remembering at least which side or part u left ur bike) you’ll know it is yours when you see it.. besides, your key should be able to unlock it..

As an American, I didn’t appreciate the nasty remarks made by “Uncle B.” Sounds like he’s blaming us for Canada’s bad weather! We can only buy what Canada is willing to sell. It’s a shame that he used this opportunity to slam another country instead of appreciating the wonderful photography and the beauty of Amsterdam.

@Carol I don’t think he was blaming us for the bad weather. And what he was saying was not “bashing” the US (I live in Oregon). He was simply describing the economic impact that the US had on oil prices. But Amsterdam is a beautiful place, and I’d love to see more places in the US like it. In Portland, we’re pretty “progressive” about biking — we have bike lanes everywhere, especially in our downtown. We have a lot of bikers, but nothing like this!

Having spent a week in Amsterdam 10 years ago I found the bi- cycle thing very aggressive and was shouted at and told to ‘get out the way’ so many times I became paranoid and retired to the red light district, only for research purposes you understand ?

There is only one reason you are getting shouted at… you are standing on the bicycle lane.. it is understandable for first time visitors to be unaware of that.. to confuse the bicycle lane as a part of the sidewalk, because they are side by side. You being shouted at is only to warn u that an accident might happen to you. It is easier for a pedestrian to stop on his tracks or jump out of the way, than a cyclist to break his momentum suddenly, and it is a no-no to stop abruptly as there are no break lights behind a bike. When there are other bikers behind him and he stops without warning… they will end up in one heap on top of you.

Where ever you go for a first time visit, asking around for the common rules to be observed would do you no harm. Its lack of knowledge that would get you into trouble.

OMG so many good memories , i am from portugal , was in amsterdam a few months ago … the bikes rule indeed

I rented one and , its amazing so easy it is to use it in amsterdam

I stay on hotel rookies near leidseplein , amazing location, amazing city , great people , loved it and hope to be back soon

Nice pics

@lynx distance doesn’t have to be a problem for cycling. I used to cycle 25km to school. I know that’s not common even in the Netherlands, but I got there faster than when I had to take the bus.

Also I love the fact that we have special bike squads for the police. Who, as I saw yesterday, don’t stop for red lights either, just like most bikers here.

i cycle everyday to and from work about 14 kilometers each way…. distance is really relative…. the first time i tried i thought i couldn’t do that everyday…its too far. But not anymore. When you had built the resistance and stamina its becomes second nature to you. The distance gets shorter, well… depends on the direction of the winds. Sometimes it favors you….sometimes it could really be sarcastic. But its very enjoyable especially when the weather is good. Most people in the Netherlands would rather bike than use their cars whenever possible. Its healthy, economical and u don’t get into traffic jams plus parking is quick and free.

Can i take a one small pic from your blog?
Thank you

I’ve had my fill of the cycles, lol! What a life! That there is a clear answer to pollution!

@rufor no problem.. all u have to do is ask.. e-mail me which and why …use d contact form

Nice pictures… Looks like a nice city.

Very nice comments. I enjoyed reading all of them… I LOVE AMSTERDAM!

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Mizdi, enjoyed this post very much. The photos are awesome and your comments share much insight and info. Thanks for a wonderful post!! Take pleasure in knowing you’ve inspired me for a bike ride this afternoon!

“hit the road jack” … enjoy!

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That is beautiful! Why can’t the United States LEARN from these things!?

In New York City, our so-called bicycle lanes have no borders, and are narrow, with parked cars’ doors opening into the lane from one side, and moving car traffic next to them on the other side — when you are lucky enough to find a bicycle “lane”.

Loved the pictures. Big reminder of where I am from. Biking was for me the only way to get around. Thanks for the memory Mizdi

thank you for stopping by.

[...] Amsterdam Bicycles [...]

[...] the Netherlands mizdi presents Amsterdam Bicycles posted at Chat is not for [...]

[...] the Netherlands mizdi presents Amsterdam Bicycles posted at Chat is not for [...]

[...] the Netherlands mizdi presents Amsterdam Bicycles posted at Chat is not for [...]

Amazing, just amazing , so many bikes, I think the people in Amsterdam must be having better health as well because of the cycling they do Its really a worth having these pics seen
Thanks Mizdi !!
Kitz´s last blog ..Kuntal weds Isha: Marriage Invitation [27 November 2009]

your welcome! nice to see u took time to visit my awesome blog…lol. thank u, really appreciate that

Gotta love Amsterdam for the biking tradition. Happy to be a Amsterdammer. Nice blog.

thank u very much Wendy, nice of you to drop by

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