Beursplein to get underground bicycle parking garage

DutchAmsterdam.nl — The willy-nilly parking of bicycles on Dam Square, Beursplein and surrounding areas will soon be a thing of the past, as far as Amsterdam’s city planners are concerned.

Bicycle labyrinth in front of Bijenkorf warehouse at Amsterdam Dam Square

The latest version of the city’s ‘Red Carpet’ project — which calls for Damrak, Rokin and beyond to be turned into a beautiful, pedestrian-friendly boulevard — includes plans for an underground garage for 1100 bicycles, to be contructed at Beursplein.

Beursplein, literally ‘stock market square’ is bordered by Damrak, the Beurs van Berlage commodities exchange — built between 1896 and 1903, NYSE Euronext, and the Bijenkorf warehouse.

Further south, on the other side of Bijenkorf, is Dam square.

While Amsterdam is the most bicycle-friendly city in the world, the labyrinth of indiscriminately parked bicycles at and around Dam square has frustrated merchants and others alike for years.

Jeanine van Pinxteren, Chairman of the Amsterdam Centrum borough says the price tag for the project, nine million Euro — nearly 8.000 Euro per parking spot — is a bit of a concern, but she hopes to convince Bijenkorf and other merchants to pitch in.

The Bijenkorf is enthusiastic about the parking garage and, says local newspaper Het Parool, may well consider a financial contribution. “But such talks are part of larger negotiations regarding the expansion of the Bijenkorf. As soon as we have clarity on that issue we can talk about a contribution toward the garage.”