When in Amsterdam, start pedalling

Amsterdam's reputation as the world's most bicycle-friendly city is more than tourist bureau hype.

Business travellers may smirk, but anybody spending more than a day in the capital of the Netherlands will quickly find it's better to join than fight the droves of cyclists. Renting a bike for a few euros a day makes commuting a pleasure, not a chore.

Everything about the city's road systems seems set up to accommodate cyclists. More than 40 per cent of the population regularly cycles and there are more than 400 kilometres of wide bike lanes and paths.

There are also plenty of areas to park bikes, including a multi-level lot with space for more than 7,000 bikes at Central Station, making it easy to park and grab a train or the metro to outlying areas.

On a recent trip I quickly learnt the city's bike etiquette. Cycle lanes are clearly marked with white lines and bike symbols, and are usually separated from pedestrian paths by a small curb.

Bikers also have their own traffic signals and usually have the right of way, except for trams.

The Dutch have a well-deserved reputation for politeness, but that can be quickly abandoned for infractions in the bike lanes. Bike lanes are also used by scooters and motorised bikes, which can shatter an idyllic tour of the streets.

To avoid the clamour of the busy streets, I quickly learnt to navigate the side streets and paths bordering the city's picturesque canals. Although it was tempting to slow down and enjoy the sights, I soon realised it was better to go with the flow.

At first I was sceptical of using the bike in bad weather. But when it rains, commuters in business suits and dresses simply pop out the umbrella and continue on.

The Quote: "Mass transportation is doomed to failure in North America because a person’s car is the only place where he can be alone and think." Marshall McLuhan, scholar and philosopher

kbrass@thenational.ae