Besides tulips and windmills, Amsterdam has another distinguishing
feature: a prevailing bicycling culture. People in Amsterdam
show a special respect for environment as well as a particular
satisfaction to travel the city on bike. Moreover, the infrastructure
is also permissive, as bicycling paths are accommodated
on all important routes and even in Amsterdam surroundings.
Approximately 50% of the traffic in Amsterdam is on bike,
as statistics reveal it. However, bicycling must also meet
specific rules, just like driving, most of them referring
to one's safety. Visitors are recommended, first of all,
to lock their bikes safely to prevent having it stolen.
Although shameful to admit, Amsterdam authorities deal with
hundreds of stolen bikes every year. Furthermore, it is
highly advisable to pay attention to all traffic rules and
signals, not only for personal safety but also to avoid
police stopping you for reckless bicycling. Respect for
others participants in traffic, as well as pedestrians,
is compulsory when bicycling. Rules in Amsterdam provide
that bicycles must be walked in crowded and overpopulated
areas. Indications regarding bicycling safety include using
an illuminations source when night bicycling and avoiding
tram tracks, which may lead to serious accidents. These
rules apply mostly to city traffic.
But bicycling isn't only the sleekest way to get around
Amsterdam, but one of the most interesting manners to get
acquainted to Amsterdam surroundings. Visitors can get there
by bike from the city centre or they can take the train
to a distant village, for instance, and then rent a bike.
Sights are numerous: classic Dutch symbols like tulips and
windmills, ancient buildings and wonderful landscapes. North
Amsterdam, Muiden and Alkmaar are three of the most popular
destinations around the city.
With bicycling such a convenient means of transportation,
Amsterdam also beneficiates from a large offer of bike rentals
in and outside the city. For €8 an hour visitors are
rented a solid bike with necessary equipment, guide books
and a safe lock. For visitors who choose to rent bikes for
more than one day, depending on how long the term is, they
can pay down to €4 a day for the rent bike. One of
the largest bike rental centres with three locations around
Amsterdam (Leidseplein, Central Station and Visserplein)
is, undoubtedly, Mac Bike. Mac Bike earned its fame due
to irreproachable service and various facilities such as
guided tours. Among professional bike rental agencies, Work
Bikes, Mike's Bike Rental and StarBikes Rentals are also
important names.
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