There are more bikes in Amsterdam than people. Really. Not joking. They are everywhere. They are locked to anything that doesn’t move…trees, railings, posts, each other, bike racks, over bridges, along every inch of sidewalk…everywhere! Most bikes are black, heavy, have fenders and have one or two very heavy duty racks. They look like the bike Miss Gulch rode in the Wizard of Oz. They are used to carry groceries, cases of beer, and multiple children. Our neighbor weighs maybe 100 pounds, and carries a 6 year old and a 4 year old all on a bike that weighs probably 25 pounds. There are bikes with giant boxes that are used for deliveries. Today I saw a woman using one of these delivery bikes to peddle her 4 children around!

The Dutch use their bikes all year long and use bikes to go everywhere. They don’t wear helmets and are dressed for work when they ride. Women in high heels peddling to work is a common sight. The other night I saw two women riding side-by-side in the rain, talking away while one of them held an umbrella over both their heads. Around 5 pm there is a rush hour of bikes so if you are out and about you need to be extra extra careful about crossing the street because there are a LOT of bikes! Bike theft is a way of life. I read that most Amsterdam bikes are stolen at least 8 times. These bikes are made to last 20+ years and are the tanks of the bike world. All bikes have at least 2 locks. One lock is attached to the frame and locks the back wheel to the frame with a heavy duty “U” shaped lock. The second lock is the biggest, baddest piece of chain attached to and even bigger and badder steel lock all wrapped inside a protective cover. Needless to say, they weigh a ton. The best locks cost almost as much as the bike! Next to the train station there is a humongous bike parking garage where you pay to park your bike in a covered, secure facility. People pay 1 or 2 euros to park there daily….not a bad price considering a decent bike here costs 300 to 800 euros. As most the bikes are black and they all look alike, it’s a wonder to me how people can tell their bike from someone else’s. I ran across this bike the other day and just had to take a photo.

All bikes have a bell. You need this bell to tell the stupid tourists to move out of your way!  Speaking of which, all tourist rental bikes are painted a color that is not black. This is how you tell the tourists from the locals when you are driving a car or walking. Be very afraid of the orange and red bikes!!

M has a friend who sells bikes and has a supply of last year’s models. I get to choose which one I want. I’ll post a photo of my new bike with  the biggest baddest lock and even bigger and badder chain money can buy along with my super cool bell and the hot pink streamers I’m going to install on the handlegrips so I can find my bike in the sea of black!