Lots being done to get people cycling and despite the mountains around the city is flat and seems like a joy to ride in. Indicators of great cycling all present: all ages, families, men, women, bakfiets (though many more long tails) and probably only 50/50 wearing helmets

Just big scammy stroopwafel places. This one replaced a sandwich shop next to my first office here. g.co/kgs/iDgoRJX

As someone who lives in and loves Amsterdam, yes, tourists should absolutely leave Amsterdam.

This route advice is solid listen to it.

To check out what modern Dutch bikes look like (mind you there are plenty of Oma-/opafiets out there too) check out Batavus.nl or Gezelle.nl.

6 cont'd. We park our bikes on the street (including e-bikes) but I rent a spot in a neighborhood garage for my road bike.
7. Road bikes with panniers, unless they're cross bikes or tourers, imho just don't handle that well relative to a Dutch city bike, and will be less comfortable beyond #1

6. Storage will end up depending on your neighborhood/building. Basically everywhere in the Netherlands is going to have some form of street parking, but depending on the area you may have parking inside in your building, in a neighborhood garage (for rent), or no alternate (other than the apt.)...

5. There are used bikes all over the place. The cheapest will just have coaster brakes but you can get bikes with internal hubs (my city bike is a 7 speed with hand brakes). You can get something and if you don't like it make a change pretty easy.

2. They'll be different, and therefore a more likely theft target.
3. Fitting a cafe lock will be difficult on most road bikes and not having one will be a major inconvenience at times.
4. There are options that aren't Oma-/opafiets that are still comfortable Dutch city bikes.

1. Road bikes aren't that comfortable, once you get used to commuting on an upright bike you're not going back. They're great for speed but not for everyday comfort and use for getting around. You're not going to get up to those speeds on Dutch streets always.

Ah alright, this makes sense. I had a stable of bikes before we moved, the only bike I brought with was my touring bike that is pretty specialized even here and quite personal. Otherwise we bought bikes here. Honestly, unless you're particularly attached I'd sell. For a few reasons:

👋🏻 American who’s lived in the Netherlands for 8 years now. Not quite sure what you mean by that question but maybe if you can explain what you’re looking for in more detail I can help? I mean… my first reaction to that question is “it’s like owning any other bike.”

As an American living in the Netherlands, asociaal.

Oh, when I see a kid with a helmet in a bakfiets I always assume they’re foreigners