So, I rented a bike, an up right cruiser with coaster brakes built like a tank. I was given a heavy chain, the kind I had seen wrapped around the waists of New York City bicycle couriers, and was sternly instructed on how to use it. Amsterdam is a city of bicycle thieves. Estimates of stolen bicycles range from 150,000. An American friend living there had six bicycle stolen last year.
Most people invest more in locks than bicycles.
Nearly every street in Amsterdam has a bike lane or separated paths on both sides. Lanes and paths are usually painted a distinguishing brick red. Intersections have special signals, lanes, and actuated buttons for bicyclists. The city center is dedicated almost exclusively to pedestrians, bicyclists, and electric trams. Outside Amsterdam, an extensive network of two way bicycle paths connect fishing and farming villages.