Amsterdam cycling

Considering the bike (a dutchie) I was riding, cycling in Amsterdam should have been a walk in the park. Well it was and it wasn’t.

Starting out from Cityden Zuidas, Amstelveen we cycled out through Amstel park towards the river, yes you guessed it - Amstel river.

Cycling was easy and relaxing, we cycled along a bike path, along the river, lovely if a bit cold. Following the river for as far as we could, roadworks forced us to enter the roads of the outer area of Amsterdam city.

I knew from our time in Amsterdam yesterday, cars are considerate of cyclists and cyclists are considerate of pedestrians, but, being on the bike alongside trams cars, bikes and pedestrians was a bit daunting. It took me a little while to understand my heightened unease and then it occurred to me - I was riding without a bike helmet.

The ease in which people cycle here is a wonder, the confidence they have flying along on their dutchies - I think I spotted one road bike. All ages of people cycle, we saw boys heading off to play soccer, riding their bikes with football boots on, mums and dads with children front and back on their bikes, lots of older people confidently riding out with purpose.

It seems there is bike access everywhere, you cannot look down any street without seeing someone cycling and dozens if not hundreds of bikes parked along the street.

To an outsider it all seemed a little chaotic but from watching the locals there is a system and it works.