The image of Épinal is inescapable: the Netherlands is the capital of the little queen and it is quite fair to imagine that the little Dutch grow up with a handlebars in their hands. Even before having jumped on the Thalys, tourists like us quite naturally consider spending their day by bike to get around the city. The first steps are simple: rental companies abound and, even in the event of a strong influx during the big weekends and the summer months, no shortage is possible (there are more bicycles than inhabitants here). First discovery: the majority of bikes are models with backpedaling even if we still find city bikes equipped with a hand brake. A few minutes to train and we quickly get used to this braking mode.
Read also: 48 hours in Amsterdam: from the classic Jordaan to the very fashionable De Pijp district
Style is not worth the risk
It's time to head off to explore the city, thinking of taking on a natural air to pass for a true Amsterdam resident. Which don't wear helmets, but it's up to you: the style might not be worth the risk. The first few meters covered, one thing is clear: the others go much faster. The cyclist rushes forward, sure of himself. In reality, it starts from the principle that it has priority, as well over its two-wheeled congeners as over pedestrians, for whom driving becomes a real obstacle course on the main arteries. We discover in fact that everything is played in the look or the attitude. You go green and a cyclist arrives on your right? At a glance, the priority is conceded by one and each one takes care above all to avoid the other.
"Pedestrians do not risk crossing at the wrong time: the Amsterdam cyclist is ruthless"
Start by avoiding rush hour, between 8 and 9 a.m. and 5 and 6 p.m., as the cyclists advance in a tight row like a school of fish.
A human tide that can seem frightening the first time.
Nested together when the light is red, we courageously keep our axis, trying not to be jostled and not to jam our wheel in the rails of the tram.
Pedestrians do not risk crossing at the wrong time: the Amsterdam cyclist is merciless.
When questioning the users, their excuse is unstoppable: without speed, the Dutch bicycle is more difficult to start.
A good reason to never stop.
SEE THE FILE -
Cycle tourism and cycle travel: advice and itineraries
Make feet ... and hands
After a few breaks, we begin to gain confidence, while making sure to stay in the cycle paths, most often indicated in red. Amsterdam is streaked with 500 km of tracks: a dense network that makes it easy to get around and reach all areas of the city center in about ten minutes. It becomes more complicated when you decide to go on the tracks along the canals, where you have to juggle pedestrians, cars and a roadway that is no longer very young. It is also an opportunity to slow down to resume a strolling pace. To stop, we do not play the unconscious tourist: we indicate its direction with the hand and we stop outside the track. Be careful, however, before throwing the arm to the left or to the right that it does not land in the head ofa cyclist overtaking!
If one quickly spotted intruders on the tracks - idling pedestrians, scooters and small cars without a license - the danger often comes from inside.
More and more popular, e-bikes have invaded the tracks, to the delight of Gazelle or Van Moof owners who ride twice as fast as the others.
A difference in speed which surprises and which pushes to remain vigilant.
Read also: Cycling through France, the ordeal guaranteed?
Finally arrived at destination, we watch the places to attach his car. Many dedicated parking areas have been created throughout the city but they are regularly saturated. According to the town hall, their occupancy rate is 136% ... If it is impossible to find a place there, aim for a place where you will not block another bike, making sure to attach it (rather two once), thefts being frequent. Last but not least, we carefully memorize the location: it can be a real headache to spot it in the cloud.
