Getting around in the Amsterdam.

OV-Chip card vs one way ticket

 In the mean time you can download 9292 and NS Reisplanner. Those apps will help you to get around the city and country.

 When you arrive in Amsterdam central station, go to GVB Ticket & Info centre. Outside of central station you will see building on your left with blue GVB print. In this building you can buy anonymous OV-Chip Card. (7,50EUR) Card allows you to travel with bus,tram and metro for much less price. One way ticket coast 2,90EUR for one hour and you can buy it only by driver or controller in public transport. If you have student loan, public transport will be free for you. 

If you drive without ticket, you will be fined of 37EUR  

Story: A:’’What are we going to do today?’’ I:’’Let’s jump in in the first bus or tram and go out at the last stop?!’’  So we end up starting our journey at Amsterdam central station, because  almost all buses and trams always go to central station. Unless you stand on the right side of the road it's not possible to get lost.

Picture is taken from bicycle parking next to Amsterdam CS.

Where to buy Bicycle

You must get a bike its easiest and fastest vehicle in the city. And you can always go out, whenever you like and wherever you like.There are many ways how to get your first bike.

• Waterlooplein market: on this market guys are selling second hand bike, there are two or three bike sellers. You can try bike on the place. They  come with one lock or no lock at all but on the market you can buy it. Best reason why you should buy bike on this Market is because seller will write you in check book it will approve that you get your bike legally. Prices are around 60-150
• Hand to Hand: look up on facebook, second hand bike, there are couple of groups where you can by bikes. When people leave or they just want new bike old bikes are sold there. You chit chat with person and go meet him and try out bike. Prices are the same like on market around 100EUR and sometimes even 20EUR when someone really is in hurry, most of the cases it comes with two locks. https://www.facebook.com/groups/857687074272396/?fref=ts
• New, second hand, foldable: WWW.marktplaats.nl is online platform where you can buy every type of bike. Mostly online stores are selling bikes or sometimes random people. This platform is for everything not only for bikes and it’s in Dutch.
• Street sellers: I should not advertise this for you, but you will come across it any way. This is totally illegally. This guys are reason why your bike is gone. But if you will walk in midnight on 'some' streets, might one of them will approach you to sell bike. Bikes are always cheap 15 euros and guy has good taste on bikes…..But if Police will catch you buying bike from them you will be in big Problems!!!!

 

Tips: Don’t park your bike outside white lines and check signs before you park, (vorbieden*) also if you don’t ride your bike and it stays in one place more than two weeks. Police can remove your bike and bring to Fietsdepo*. Check beneath the bottom bracket, there you will see bicycle serial number. When your bike is gone first you should call Fietsdepot 020-334-4522 and say serial number, or describe it. Of course you must pay to pick up bicycle, average 20EUR.

Have a look at this picture. Someone locked bicycle with chain, over my bike.

Story: Police officer came to a girl  and asked her to show hers bike (she walked with her bike next to her). They turnedbike around and checked serial number. In a minute they reported to her that bike is stolen. She couldn’t approve that bike is legally bought because it wasn’t.Police officer wrote a fine of 200EUR. She couldn’t pay on the place that’s way shewere escorted to police station till somebody will pay for her. 

 

Check your bicycle: For this option you need little bit more skills because it’s in Dutch, but this is the way how you can report your bicycle as stolen. Also in the end you will se if your bike has not been reported as stolen. If you have DigiD you can go to www.politie.nl  1.Angifte of melding done.  

                        2.Doe aangifte   

                        3.Diefstal, zakkenrollerij of inbraak.  

                         4.Uw fiets is gestolen 

                         5. Via het aangifteformulier op internet.

And then you just feel up the form. If you want to do report at police station you ned to make appointment.

Biggest bicycle parking next to Amsterdam CS.

Even your bike looks good and strong not always it's like that. I hope this will not happen with your bike, like it happend with my friends and also broke his heart because he loved his bicycle so much!!

*Fietsdepo= Removed bicycle parking at police station

*Het verboden= Forbidden

           

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