Biking in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is an exciting experience because the bike is a transportation of the most popular and most efficient way to explore the city. But do not imagine riding a bike in there the same as in Indonesia, because you’ll meet a lot of rules. So, if you have the opportunity to Amsterdam and plans to use the bike, you should see the following tips:
1. Know where to cycling
Amsterdam has a bicycle and pedestrian path along the 400 km (249 miles) so that the cycling in the city is very pleasant. Usually there are bike paths along the right side of the road which is usually marked with white stripes features and bicycle symbols painted on the road or path reddish color.
2. See the signs
Amsterdam has many signs and signals specifically designed for cyclists. Here are some signs that it is important to know:
Bike Traffic Lights: These lights glow red, yellow and green in the form of a bicycle at the main intersection and you must obey it. Trams and other traffic has its own lighting which is not always appropriate but when a traffic light bike does not exist, use traffic lights to the car.
Bike Path / Route: A circular sign with a blue background and white picture shows a bike lane or bike route.
An exception to the bike / scooter: A sign with the word uitgezonderd (’except’) and symbol of a bicycle / scooter rider means the exemption.
3. Providing the right path
Always provide an opportunity for the tram road from all directions. Hear the bells ringing, indicating typical tram will pass.
Rules for all other vehicles and bicycles: give the right road for traffic from the right side. Thus, traffic coming from the left should give the right path.
4. Do not imitate the things that are not good
Amsterdam local motorists tend to ignore red lights, riding on the sidewalk, overtaking fellow riders without warning and does not use lights at night. Do not imitate this.
5. Use your hands
Use hand signals when changing direction but only point the direction you want to go alone. Doing this will allow cyclists and other motorists know to give or not to overtake you. If in doubt at the intersection, you got off the bike. Nothing wrong with off the bike and walk through busy areas.
6. Do not be trapped in the belly
Through which the tram tracks sometimes creates belly, a perforated line. So you should stay away from the streetcar tracks, which can swallow a bike tire. If you do have to cross the tracks with sharp angles.
7. Becoming impatient motorists
You probably know the rules of the road, but that does not mean everyone knows it. The most common constraint is that you will find tourists who unknowingly walked in the bike lane and the road was not looking forward. If things like this to use a bicycle bell to tell them.
8. Bicycle lock when you leave
Never leave a bicycle in a locked state, even if only briefly. Theft of a bicycle in Amsterdam is a problem, but can be avoided. You also should pay attention to signs that said hier geen fietsen plaatsen (’Do not put a bike in here’). If you ignore it, your bike could be confiscated.
9. Keep moving
Try to keep moving and keep pace with other fellow riders. You may run parallel with two other riders. You can do this for not keeping the traffic behind him.
10. Use a map
Not all the streets of Amsterdam is intended for cycling, so that driving without a planned route can be inefficient and dangerous, so use the map. Most rental shops have a city map / route, but this is rather limited. We recommend you buy a map for 4 Euros (approximately Rp. 50 thousand) available at Amsterdam Tourism Office