Bicycles of Amsterdam

ByThe Skeptical Traveler

I once had a layover in Amsterdam of about 9 hours.

Amsterdam is a fantastic city so I took full advantage of this time. I visited the Rijskmuseum (the famous painting ‘The Night Watch’ by Rembrandt is here), the Van Gogh Museum, and one other museum whose name I have forgotten.

I remember that I walked, and walked, and walked and I was fascinated by the bicycles, some of which seemed to have a story to tell.

These are the bicycles of Amsterdam and their (very) short stories.

A pink bicycle is parked and locked to a tree on a sidewalk. The bicycle has a black seat and a chain guard. There are other bicycles parked nearby, and the tree is surrounded by a metal grate. The background shows a paved street and part of a sidewalk.
Pink Panther
 
A white bicycle is parked and locked to a metal railing. The background features a wall with colorful graffiti and a building with small windows. There is some grass growing through cracks in the pavement near the bicycle.
I am a painter
 
A rusty bicycle is locked to a metal railing by a canal. In the background, there is a boat on the water. The bicycle appears to be old and weathered, with visible rust on the frame and chain. The scene suggests an urban setting near a body of water.
Most valuable bicycle (2 chains)
 
The image shows a few bicycles that have fallen over and are lying on a paved surface. The bicycles are tangled together, with their wheels and frames overlapping. The pavement consists of hexagonal tiles.
Threesome

 

A wooden door with a glass window has a sign that reads "HIER GEEN FIETSEN PLAATSEN AUB" and "NO BIKES PLEASE" with an image of a bicycle with a red cross over it. There is also a small sticker with a red star on the window. The door has a mail slot and a door handle.
I have had enough

 

A person is standing in front of the entrance to a store named "Lucky Jack." The store has a blue awning and a sign with the store's name in stylized white and blue letters. The entrance features glass doors with orange and black designs. A bicycle is parked to the left of the entrance. The person is facing the door and appears to be about to enter the store.
I am small but maybe I will be lucky

 

A white bicycle is locked to a black and yellow striped pole on a sidewalk. The rear wheel of the bicycle appears to be bent. In the background, there are people walking and a building with windows.
Snow White

 

A bicycle with a blue and yellow frame is locked to a metal railing near a staircase leading underground. The background shows a street scene with a few people walking and a parked car. The area appears to be in an urban setting with buildings and other infrastructure visible.
The maverick (a mountain bike, very unsual for Amsterdam)
 
The image shows the exterior of a pizza restaurant named "New York Pizza." The storefront has a large sign with the restaurant's name and the phrase "the Original" underneath. There is a bicycle parked in front of the restaurant, leaning against the window. The window displays a neon sign and a poster with the words "DAMN TASTY." The building appears to be located on a narrow street with a brick sidewalk.
I deliver pizza

 

A cargo bike is parked on a street in front of a shop with framed pictures in the window. The bike has a large cargo box painted with red, white, and blue stripes, and a small flag attached to it. A person wearing a red shirt and carrying a backpack is walking past the bike.
The Patriot

6 Comments

  2. I enjoyed your post. And your lucky to have been that close to such a valuable bicycle.

  4. Nice photos! I like the ‘most valuable’ bike. Bike theft is indeed a problem in Amsterdam.

    By the way, for inexpensive bike the Waterlooplein fleamarket is a good place. Look for the bike dealers closest to the Mosen and Aaron church (that’s the building with a huge statue that looks like Moses carrying a soccer ball). Just don’t let them sell you more (or more expensive) locks than you really need.

  6. Pingback: We are very much in love - The Cynical Traveler

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