Description
Ah, Amsterdam: canals, coffee shops and bicycles. If you’re planning a trip to the Dutch capital, there’s no better way to see it like a local than on two wheels. Black Bikes, the city’s largest bike rental company, makes that easy.
I’ve visited Amsterdam a few times, and renting from Black Bikes made getting around much easier. They have 17 rental locations across the city, so you’re rarely far from a shop. They’ve also expanded to The Hague, Haarlem and Utrecht, which is handy if your trip takes you beyond Amsterdam.
Black Bikes offers more than standard bikes. You can rent regular women’s or men’s bikes, e-bikes for a little help on the way, children’s bikes, tandems and cargo bikes. If you’re on the shorter side, they also have 24-inch bikes, so you won’t have to tiptoe at every stoplight.
Travelling with children? Black Bikes also rents bikes with child seats mounted at the front or back.
These aren’t rusty old clunkers. Black Bikes maintains its bikes well, so you can expect a comfortable ride around town. Prices start at 9, 49 euros, and for an extra 4, 25 euros, you can add insurance against damage and theft. Accidents do happen, as I’ve learned myself.
The staff are another plus. They’re friendly, know the city well and can answer questions about both the bikes and Amsterdam. Ask them for local tips while you’re there; they often know the little details that make a ride around town more enjoyable.
Key Features
Here’s what makes Black Bikes a useful option for exploring Amsterdam:
- Plenty of choice: From regular bikes and e-bikes to tandems and cargo bikes, there’s an option for most riders. You could even try a different type each day of your trip.
- Convenient locations: Black Bikes has 17 shops in Amsterdam, and you can return your bike to any location. That makes it easy to plan a one-way ride across town.
- Useful opening hours: The shops are open from 8: 30 AM to 6: 30 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends. Handy for an early canal ride or an afternoon spin.
- Well-maintained bikes: Black Bikes takes care of its fleet, so you can set off with a bike that’s ready for the city streets.
- Reasonable prices: Rentals start at 9, 49 euros. Add optional insurance for a few euros more if you’d rather ride with a little extra peace of mind.
- Options for children: They rent bikes with child seats, as well as smaller bikes for children who are ready to pedal themselves.
- Local advice: The staff know Amsterdam well, so ask them for recommendations. They’re usually happy to share their knowledge of the city.
- Part of a larger bicycle business: Black Bikes is part of Het Zwarte Fietsenplan, a chain of bicycle shops specializing in urban bikes. The company has carried out over 300, 000 bike repairs.
If you’re renting for more than a day, ask about multi-day discounts. You may be able to get a better deal.
Best Time to Visit
When’s the best time to visit Amsterdam and rent a bike? Weather makes a difference. I’ve been caught in a sudden downpour cycling along the Prinsengracht, and it wasn’t much fun.
April to October is generally the best stretch for a biking trip. The weather’s milder and the days are longer. Spring, particularly April and May, is a lovely time to visit: Dutch tulips bloom, and the parks and gardens fill with colour.
Summer, from June to August, brings warm weather and plenty going on, but it’s also peak tourist season. The city center can get crowded, so if you’d rather not weave through groups of visitors on your bike, consider coming in spring or autumn instead.
September and October are among my favourite months. The summer crowds have thinned, but the weather is often still pleasant enough for cycling. Vondelpark’s golden autumn leaves are a lovely sight, too.
Winter has its charms, with Christmas markets and ice-skating rinks around the city. Still, cycling in near-freezing temperatures isn’t for everyone. If you do head out in the cold, Black Bikes says it has bikes suited to winter conditions.
Amsterdam weather can change quickly, sometimes within a single day. Whenever you visit, be ready for rain. Most Black Bikes come with fenders, and bringing a light raincoat is a sensible idea.
If you’re visiting during a major Dutch holiday such as King’s Day on April 27th, renting a bike can be a great way to get around. Some streets close to cars, but the city gets busy, so book ahead. Rentals can sell out during these peak periods.
How to Get There
So, you’ve decided to rent a bike from Black Bikes, but how do you get to one of their locations? If you’re flying into Amsterdam, you’ll probably arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. From there, you have a few ways to reach the city center, where most Black Bikes shops are located.
- Train: Probably the quickest and most convenient option. There’s a station right beneath the airport, with trains to Amsterdam Central Station every 10-15 minutes. The journey takes about 15-20 minutes and costs around 5. 50 euros.
- Bus: If you’re not in a rush and want to save a few euros, take bus 397 from the airport to the city center. It takes about 30 minutes and costs a little less than the train.
- Taxi: This is the most expensive choice, but it might be worth it if you have a lot of luggage or arrive late at night. Expect to pay around 45-50 euros.
Once you’re in the city center, finding a Black Bikes shop is easy. They have locations all over town, including one near Central Station. Look for the distinctive black bikes; you’ll spot them.
If you’re already in Amsterdam, ask your hotel’s front desk for directions to the nearest shop. There may be one just around the corner. The city center is compact, too: you can walk from one end to the other in about 30 minutes, so a rental location is rarely far away.
If you like to plan ahead, check the Black Bikes website for a full list of locations and a map of the rental points.
During the summer or around major events, reserve your bike in advance. You can book online or call the shop. It’s no fun arriving ready to ride only to find they’ve run out.
Once you have your bike, take a moment to get familiar with Dutch traffic rules. The staff at Black Bikes can give you a quick rundown. Stick to the bike lanes, use hand signals when turning and always lock your bike when you leave it.
