Home > News > Suggestion: Park your bicycle above a canal

Suggestion: Park your bicycle above a canal

DutchAmsterdam.com — Would you park your bike above a canal?

If it were up to Pascal van den Noort, of the bicycle lobby organizaion Vélo Mondial, you’d be doing just that — at least near the Leidseplein (red marker on the map).

The city is fighting an uphill battle against a tsunami of bicycles and scooters parked outside official facilities at the popular square.

Van den Noort’s idea is to build a bicycle parking structure above the water of the canal at Zieseniskade (the yellow marker on the map).

Temporary bike parking facility on a pontoon at De Melkweg

Temporary bike parking facility on a pontoon at De Melkweg

Another above-water facility would be built in front of cultural center De Melkway (‘The Milkyway,’ the purple marker).

Recently the city scrapped plans for an underground bike parking facility at Raamplein (green marker) because it would end up costing nearly 30 million Euro.

Van den Noort, who presented his plans to the Centrum Borough and a handful of city council members today, says his solution will provide 3800 parking spaces at a cost of about 6 million Euro.

Under the proposal the structure would include lots of greenery.

Bicycle parking garage at Amsterdam Central Station

Bicycle parking garage at Amsterdam Central Station

Parking bikes above the water is not a new idea. At Central Station a guarded, three-story bicycle parking facility has been in operation since April, 2001.

Known as the Fietsflat (bicycle flat), the structure provides 2500 free parking spaces.

Initially it was meant as a temporary solution, scheduled to be closed in 2004 — later postponed to 2009.

Over the years it has become a tourist attraction — one of the most filmed and photographed spots in Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, if you park your bike at or near Leidseplein outside the designated areas, it stands of good chance of being removed.

Here’s all the hassle you’ll have to go through to get it back.

Anton and Janet Hein
Publisher at DutchAmsterdam | Website |  + posts

Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.

Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.

Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 42 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.

Category: News | Related to: , ,

Last updated Thursday, January 17, 2013 CET (Central European Time)

Hello! Our original content is of course protected by © Copyright DutchAmsterdam .nl
Do not republish or repost. Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape    

Why stand in line during your Amsterdam vacation?

Beat the crowds by booking Amsterdam Tours, Skip the Line Tickets, Museums, Excursions and Activities online. GetYourGuide is our trusted ticket partner.

Leave a Reply

Transparency:
The DutchAmsterdam website includes affiliate links. That means we get a small commission — at no additional cost to you — for each purchase you make. Your support helps us provide this site free of charge. Naturally, as our Editorial Policy states, our content is never influenced by our advertisers or affiliates.