Understand that I know nothing about bicycles or cycling - until two months ago, I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 15 and hadn't owned one since I was about 10. So if I sound at all patronising, it's because I'm writing for my own level of understanding here...don't be offended...
1. If you are on a bike in Amsterdam, the only thing that outranks you on the road is a tram. Cars get in big trouble if they hit you, and pedestrians shouldn't be walking on the road anyway. This having been said, make sure you keep an eye out for cars, because it will hurt if they hit you.
2. Things to be careful of while riding:
- Tram tracks: make sure you don't ride along them, because your wheel may get stuck and you will fall off. Cross them perpendicularly and you'll be fine.
- Ice on the roads: be aware that if you swerve abruptly, you will skid and fall over. The same applies for any loose material (sand, gravel, leaves, melting snow, etc.)
- Tourists: if you are riding in Amsterdam, there will be tourists and they will be walking on the bike paths (especially along the Damrak) - this is why you have a bell. Or if you don't have a bell, a sharp yell will work. Mostly people will get out of your way - occasionally you will have to stop for them when they don't.
- Shoelaces, trousers and skirts: are likely to get caught in the bike chain (or in the case of shoelaces, twisted around the pedal - that happened to me and was *not* pleasant) You can get trouser clips, or you can just keep an eye out for it.
4. Buying a bike: bikes are expensive - cheap ones seem to average around €150. Anything that's €50-€100 is probably stolen. Anything under €50 is definitely stolen. (And if you have €700, you can get a nifty one with a wagon in the front!)
5. Locking your bike: bike theft is rampant in Amsterdam. You will need two locks with your bike.
- back lock: this is a nifty horseshoe shaped lock that puts a metal bar in between the spokes of your back wheel. The keys can't be removed unless it is locked (so don't unlock it first when you come back to your bike)
- massive chain lock: this is the lock you use to chain your bike's front wheel and frame to some immovable object (bike racks, lampposts, canal railings, etc.) Some of the chain locks have a trick to them... it was like a puzzle, I felt so good about myself when I worked it out!
- If you see a sign saying "Geen fietsen plaatsen" or "Fietsen worden verwijderd" or anything along those lines, don't park your bike there.
