Coming to Amsterdam

Published 5 October 2005

Bike riding

The Dutch and their bikes

You will soon notice that the Dutch love their bicycles. People even take their bikes when dressed up or when it rains. Most Dutch people own at least one bike, and they use it not just for recreation: it is the chief mode of getting to university or work.
This is not surprising if you consider the small size of the country and its cities: it is only 13 km (9 miles) from the extreme west to the extreme east of Amsterdam.

Quick transport

The city is well laid out for cyclists; most streets have separate bicycle lanes. It usually takes you less time to get somewhere by bike than it does by public transport. Wearing a helmet is not obligatory, though some people prefer to do so.

Source: Communications Services