Cycling is the fastest way to explore Amsterdam and the best way to feel like a local. Here is how to rent a bike, what types there are, and the rules that keep you safe in the city’s busy bike lanes.
Last checked: September 2026
A local guide shows you the rules and the quiet routes in a few hours.
An easy, car-free ride through the city’s favourite park.
A day out in the forest park south-west of the city.
Follow the river south out of the city past windmills and meadows.
Yes, if you follow the rules: stay in the bike lanes, signal, watch the tram tracks and avoid the busiest streets at rush hour.
No, helmets are not compulsory for normal bikes in the Netherlands, but you are free to wear one.
No. Holding a phone while cycling is prohibited in the Netherlands.