Stephen M.
Google
I was part of a group of 9 (5 of whom were in my travel party)that had a wonderful time with our guide, Rad, on the 3 hour Amsterdam City Tour by Bike [we booked it via Get Your Guide].
Rad set up each person's 3 speed bike and then explained how to use the bike and lock it using the keyed lock on the back wheel. The bikes are basic upright bikes in bright yellow and red, so they clearly stand out amongst the black bikes that most riders in Amsterdam use. He also made sure we understood the rules of the road for biking in the city. With thousands of bikes going all over the city, it is critical to understand what you are doing to ensure you are riding safely for yourself and the others around you.
The ride is roughly 15km (9-10 miles) around the city. You make multiple stops and have about a 15-20 minute break about 2 hours into the journey. For our group, Rad made sure to keep us on a route that was not like the interstate or autobahn - we found ourselves on many back streets that were picturesque and not heavily congested with cars or bikes. At each stop, he made sure to share with us the history of the area, what was going on now, and some cultural discussion. Rad was very open to questions and providing answers - it did not come across as a bothersome task, but a great opportunity to interact with his guests. As it is a bike riding experience, there was not a lot of dialogue taking place as you rode - there was no "audio tour" aspect.
Your journey takes you from the bikeshop at the main harbor/cruise ship terminal to the then along streets and canals to just south of the Rijks Museum. Enroute, Rad took us into the Vondelpark where we could use the water closets and have a snack and drink purchased at a food service establishment (we had snacks - should you want an awesome salad or burger, they had them but you would not have time to consume it on this journey). Your return to the bike shop has you traversing the east side of the city by the NEMO museum.
Our group had a great time. The weather was blustery (by Californian standards) with a bit of rain showers thrown in - so dress or pack accordingly. We were layered up while another rider was in a skirt - everyone was dressed for the climate they were used to. At minimum, bring a windbreaker.
The value for the dollar (or Euro) spent was very good - 3 hours of riding a bike, a great tour of parts of Amsterdam one might not see or know was there, insights from a local resident, and a safe ride around a city where trying to ride on your own would be likely a stressful experience if you had never been riding here before.
If you are capable of riding a bike, consider this tour. It is both well worth your time and money.
