Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bike theft
Bike thieves are bold and brazen in Amsterdam. Bikes come
with two locks and stern instructions to use both. The wimpy
ones go through the spokes, and
the industrial-strength chains are
meant to be wrapped around the
actual body of the bike and con-
nected to something stronger
than any human. Do this diligently.
Once, I used both locks, but my
chain wasn't around the main bar
of my bike's body. In the morn-
ing, I found only my front tire (still
safely chained to the metal fence).
If you're sloppy, it's an expensive
mistake and one that any “included” theft insurance won't
cover.
Brouwersgracht 78, tel. 020/624-5509, www.frederic.nl).
Tips:
No one wears a helmet. For safety, use arm signals,
follow the bike-only traffic signals, stay in the obvious and omni-
present bike lanes, and yield to traffic on the right. Fear oncoming
trams and tram tracks. Carefully cross tram tracks at a perpendic-
ular angle to avoid catching your tire in the rut. Warning: Police
ticket bikers the same as they do drivers. Obey all traffic signals,
and walk your bike through pedestrian zones. Fines for biking
through pedestrian zones are reportedly €300. A handy bicycle
route-planner can be found at www.routecraft.com (select “bike-
planner” and click British flag for English). For a “Do-It-Yourself
Bike Tour of Amsterdam” and for bike tours, see page 44.
By Boat
While the city is great on foot, bike, or tram, another option is
the
Museum Boat,
which shuttles tourists from sight to sight on
an all-day ticket. Tickets cost €19, include museum discounts, and
are good for 24 hours. Sales booths in front of Central Station (and
the boats) offer free brochures with museum times and admission
prices. The boat ride comes with recorded narration and takes two
hours if you don't get off (about hourly, fewer in winter, 12 stops,
recorded narration, departures daily 10:00-17:00, tel. 020/530-
1090, www.lovers.nl).
The similar
Canal Company Bus
is
actually a boat, offering
14 stops on three different boat routes (€20, ticket is valid until
12:00 the following day, departures daily 10:00-18:00, until 22:00
in summer, leaves near Central Station and Museum Boat dock,
