Bike hire will costs about €7 for the first day and €5 for subsequent days. Most rental shops ask for a deposit between €30 to €100 or a credit card imprint, along with an additional form of identification. Optional insurance, at around 50% of the hire charge, can also be taken.
When cycling around Amsterdam, cycling two abreast is illegal, as is a bicycle without reflector bands on both front and back wheels. Bikes should always be securely locked with two locks (one connecting the front wheel to a lamppost or railing and one securing the frame to something similarly as solid) as there is a thriving stolen bike market in the city.
There are bicycle lanes that are marked out by white lines but cyclists will still need to watch out for cars, trams and pedestrians. Bicycles can be hired from:
Bike City, Bloemgracht 68-70 in Westerkerk (tel: (020) 626 3721; www.bikecity.nl),
Rent-A-Bike, Damstraat 20-22 (tel: (020) 625 5029; www.bikes.nl)
Macbike Too, Marnixstraat 220 (tel: (020) 626 6964; website: www.macbike.nl).