By Bike

Windmill de Gooyer

Ondrej Pastirik

Amsterdam is a compact city; most distances can be walked, if they can't be walked they can be biked. Bikes are therefore the most effective way of getting around Amsterdam. If you walk through the city, you see as many as 700,000 bikes, all seem to be worn down, half broken and protected with enough locks to guard Fort Knox. Nevertheless, about 100,000 bikes are stolen each year in this city.

If you stay longer than a week in the city, you might consider buying your own bike. A good second hand bike should cost you about 70 Euros. People in the street will approach you sometimes offering bikes for sale from around 4,5 Euros. One of those 100,000. bikes. Get yourself at least two good locks and make sure it's tied to something secure.

If you're staying for a shorter time, there are numerous places to hire bikes from. Some recommended include:

Damstraat rent-a-bike, Damstraat 20-22, near Dam square. Tel. 020-6255029, 7 euro a day, 31 per week. Locks included. www.bikes.nl

MacBike, Stationsplein 5,next to Central Station, Weteringschans 2, near Leidseplein, Mr.Visserplein 2, near Waterlooplein. Tel. 020-6200985,  from 8.50 euro for the first 24 hrs, going down to 4,25 euro after a week or so. www.macbike.nl