Be one with the Dutch and cycle your way through the lovely Dutch fields, dunes, woods, national parks, dikes, landscapes and cities, and villages of the Netherlands.
What bicycle to rent and which bicycle is most suitable?
Firstly, can you ride a bike? If you can’t ride a bike check out this tutorial from the Dutch Cycling Association. The first time you get on a bicycle, it is best to do this in a park, parking lot, or a quiet street.
Bicycles in art
The most famous and striking painting of a bicycle is made by the Dutch Surrealist Joop Moesman. Recently a wand painting is placed in the Stayokay on the Neude in Utrecht. The Stayokay is established in the house of birth of Joop Moesman.
Bicycle types, what bike do you like?
In the Netherlands, you can rent different types of bicycles, depending on your needs and the rental company. Here are some common types of bikes that may be available for rental:
City bike: This is the most common bicycle for everyday use in the Netherlands. City bikes are comfortable and suitable for short distances within the city. They usually have a simple design, a sturdy frame, a luggage rack, and lighting.
Electric bicycle (e-bike): E-bikes are popular and offer pedal assistance thanks to an electric motor. They are ideal for longer distances or windy or hilly terrain. With an e-bike, you can cover greater distances without exerting much effort.
Electric Fat Bike: Fatbikes are extremely popular, especially with the youth. A fat bike is actually an off-road bike with huge fat tires. Fat bikes were conceived and designed to be able to drive in terrain with low ground pressure such as soft terrain, snow, sand, marsh, or mud.
Road bike: For cycling enthusiasts and more sporty cyclists, racing bikes are available to rent. These bikes have a lightweight frame, thin tires, and multiple gears, making them suitable for fast cycling on paved roads.
Mountain bike: If you like off-road cycling, you can rent a mountain bike. These bikes have fat tires with a coarse profile, suspension, and a robust frame to handle challenging terrain.
Tandem bicycle: Tandem bicycles are bicycles for two people, with one cyclist sitting in the front and the other in the back. This is a fun option for friends, couples, or families who want to cycle together.
Cargo bike: Cargo bikes have a large box at the front in which you can transport things, groceries, or even children. They are useful for carrying heavy loads and are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to a car.
Folding Bicycle: Folding bicycles are compact and can be folded, making them easy to carry and store. They are useful for city dwellers and commuters.
The availability of these bikes may vary depending on the bike rental location and season. Bicycle rental companies can be found in many cities and tourist areas in the Netherlands, and some cities even have bicycle-sharing systems where you can rent bicycles at various locations in the city.
Where to rent a Bike, E-bike, Fat-bike, Mountain bike, or Racing bike
Nowadays, most campsites, hotels, and B&Bs rent out their own bicycles and e-bikes. If your accommodation does not rent out bicycles, the host probably knows a bicycle rental address nearby.
Are you renting a bike or an e-bike? Before you take off, you better check the tires, which must be hard, check the brakes, and read the bicycle rental conditions and the regulations of your own health and travel insurance.
Be careful riding an e-bike, these bikes can be very fast.
Bicycle rules in the Netherlands
It is forbidden to hold a telephone or other electronic device in your hand while cycling.
In general, cyclists follow the rules of car traffic but remember never to cycle on a Motorway or a Highway.
Cyclists must overtake each other on the left, other vehicles may be overtaken on the right.
Traffic from the right has priority unless indicated otherwise.
Two cyclists are allowed to cycle next to each other, more is not allowed. If cycling side by side hinders traffic, you must cycle one behind the other.
Cyclists may turn right at a red traffic light if there is a sign with the text ‘turn right for cyclist free’.
Cyclists give way to pedestrians when crossing at a zebra crossing.
Cyclists may park on the sidewalk and sidewalk unless there is a sign prohibiting this.
Cyclists may only carry children under the age of 8 if they are seated in a safe seat.
Cyclists must have a front and rear light on at night.
Cyclists hold out a hand when they want to turn the corner.
Just like cars, cyclists have priority on a roundabout.
The right traffic has priority unless indicated otherwise.
Cyclists cycle on cycling pads but if they are not available cycle along with cars.
Cyclists don’t cycle on the footpath, this is not allowed and you can get a traffic fine. The fine for cycling on the sidewalk is €55, excluding €9 administrative costs.
In the Netherlands, the rule applies that a cyclist is always right in a collision between a car and a bicycle.
As we say in the Netherlands, behave like a gentleman in traffic.
Bicycle protection equipment
Wearing a bicycle helmet is not mandatory in the Netherlands, but it is advisable. The advice of Veilig Verkeer Nederland (Safe Traffic The Netherlands) is to wear a bicycle helmet while cycling. A bicycle helmet protects you and also makes it more normal for others to put on a helmet.
Cycling rentals, bike and E-bike, and other bicycles rentals
At the bigger NS train stations, you can rent a bike, at some NS stations you can rent an e-bike.
➔ Rent a bike or e-bike at the NS train station
Rent a bike in Amsterdam. I Love Amsterdam
➔ Rent a Bike or E-bike in Amsterdam
Rent a bike in Rotterdam. Welcome to Rotterdam
➔ Make a cycle trip to Kinderdijk, famous ENESCO windmills near Rotterdam
➔ Rent a Bike or E-bike in Rotterdam
Rent a bike in Den Haag, The Hague
Den Haag or The Hague is the residence of the Netherlands. Rent a bike and explore the vicinity of the Hague, visit Scheveningen and swim in the North Sea, take a walk on the beach, and visit the Pier of Scheveningen.
➔ Rent a bike in The Hague
Rent a bike in Utrecht, maybe you like to try a different bike like a “Tandem” or a cargo bike “Bakfiets”?
When you are visiting Utrecht? Also, take a view of the largest bicycle parking in the world. This bicycle park has space for 12,500 bicycles. This bicycle parking is under the Central Station of Utrecht.
➔ Rent a bike in Utrecht
Rent a bike in Drenthe at the Fiettransferium Drenthe.
Drenthe is a providence in the east of the Netherlands. Popular places to visit are Assen, ➔ Emmen, ➔ Frederiksoord, Applescha and Veenhuizen.
Want to see the oldest monuments in the Netherlands,➔ the Hunebedden go to Drenthe.
➔ Rent a bike in Drenthe, fietstransferium
Rent a bike in South Limburg, the most sunny providence of the Netherlands
South Limburg is more than lovely, the southern providence where people are friendly and kind and nature is awesome. This providence borders Germany and Belgium, it has a tree country spot.
➔ Rent a bike in Zuid Limburg
Rent a racing bike in the Netherlands
By renting a racing bike it is strongly recommended to hire a helmet as well. Hiring racing equipment like shoes and cycling clothes is also possible.
➔ Rent a road bike/racing bike
Bicycle races in the Netherlands
So now and then an international bicycle race like de Grand Tour de France, Spanish Vuelta, and the Italian Giro starts in the Netherlands. Read all about that in:
➔ Grand tour de France, Vuelta and Giro
Famous Dutch cyclist
Two Dutch famous cyclists, Jan Jansen, and Joop Zoetemelk, are honored by street art.
➔ Awesome Street art in the Netherlands
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