Biking in Amsterdam: Bike Routes and Guided Tours

Amsterdam is known as the capital of bicycles. It’s estimated that over a million bicycles circulate its streets and that 60% of Amsterdam’s residents use bikes as their main means of transportation.

If you’re wondering what to see in Amsterdam and how to get around the city, a bike is the best option. Below, you’ll find the top three activities to explore Amsterdam by bike.

Biking in Amsterdam: The Bicycle Phenomenon

 

Until the 1970s, Amsterdam was a city crowded with cars, traffic jams, pollution, and where deaths from car accidents were a major problem.

The shift among Amsterdam residents began in 1971 when around 3,000 people died due to car accidents, 450 of whom were children. This tragic situation sparked a social movement called “Stop Kindermoord” (Stop the Child Murders), which demanded the creation of safe spaces where children could ride their bicycles.

However, what truly accelerated the use of bicycles as the primary mode of transportation in Amsterdam was the 1973 oil crisis. Gasoline prices soared, and the Dutch government seized the opportunity to implement policies that encouraged the use of bicycles over cars.

More bike lanes were created, parking spaces for cars were reduced, and parking prices were increased. The outcome of these measures is now widely recognized.

Bike Routes in Amsterdam

In addition to Amsterdam’s canals, the city has over 800 kilometers of bike lanes, so you can visit any site worth seeing in Amsterdam by bike. Here are some recommended places to pedal through.

 

 

Biking Through Amsterdam’s Streets and Canals

From the Red Light District to the charming canal streets of the Jordaan district, practically any spot in central Amsterdam is ideal for biking. Once you have a bike, just pedal through the streets, cross bridges, and ride alongside Amsterdam’s beautiful canals to spots like the Anne Frank House or the flower market.

This English-guided bike tour will take you by bike to places like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, and the port area, home to the NEMO Science Center and Amsterdam’s ultra-modern Public Library.

Biking Among Tulips in Keukenhof

 

You’ll need to pedal for at least an hour from Amsterdam to reach the Keukenhof Gardens. While Keukenhof is a closed park open only a few weeks a year, its surroundings provide a beautiful area to explore by bike.

Volendam and the Amsterdam Countryside

Volendam, one of the most recommended spots near Amsterdam, is an excellent place to ride a bike. While the Dutch Countryside Tour doesn’t include biking, you can visit this charming village and others like Edam, Marken, and Zaanse Schans, sample traditional Dutch cheese, and visit a clog-making factory.

You can also discover rural landscapes, cycling through villages, farmlands and windmills on this Dutch countryside biking tour from Amsterdam.

These and other day trips from Amsterdam will allow you to dive deeper into the land of windmills, canals, and tulips.

Amsterdam Bike Tours

To make things easy for you, here are some of the bike tours we offer in Amsterdam.

 

Traditional Bike Tour in Amsterdam

In this fun, 2.5-hour guided tour, you’ll visit the city’s main attractions with a guide who will share Amsterdam’s history and plenty of stories about the Red Light District, canals, Anne Frank House, and more. BOOK HERE

Bike Tour with Canal Cruise

You can complete the traditional bike tour experience by combining it with a boat ride through the canals. In addition to learning many anecdotes about the city and discovering Amsterdam’s most interesting spots by bike, you’ll have an open ticket to board the boat whenever you prefer. BOOK HERE

Amsterdam Full Day Tour

If you’re looking for a truly comprehensive experience, we offer an activity that combines a walking tour, a bike ride, a meal, and a canal cruise.

With the guidance of a English-speaking expert, you’ll hear the best anecdotes and stories about the city, ride a bike like a true Amsterdam local, and enjoy stunning views of the city’s iconic facades from the canals. To top it all off, a meal at a traditional restaurant is included. BOOK HERE

Dutch Countryside Bike Tour from Amsterdam

Discover the breathtaking Dutch countryside on two wheels! Leave the busy streets of Amsterdam behind as you venture into the serene rural landscape, pedaling through charming villages, lush farmlands, and iconic windmills. BOOK HERE

 

Tips for Riding a Bike in Amsterdam

Most bikes in Amsterdam have back-pedal brakes. Before setting off, make sure to take a few practice laps to get used to this system.

• Always ride on the right side of the streets, staying within the bike lane.

• Even though some locals do it, avoid biking on roads with motor traffic.

• Obey bike traffic lights and all traffic signs.

• At night, your bike must have front and rear lights.

• Use a lock when parking on the street. Around 50,000 bikes are stolen each year in Amsterdam (many end up at the bottom of the canals).