How can I tell if a secondhand bike is stolen before I buy it?

Ask the seller for the original proof of purchase and look closely at the frame's serial number for scratches or damage. You can also check the number against the Dutch police's stolen bicycle registry, the fietsdiefstalregister, before handing over any money.

What kind of lock should I buy, and is one enough?

Choose an ART-approved lock rather than the cheapest one on the shelf, and budget at least 30 to 40 euros for a hardened steel or U-lock. Using two locks of different types is worth doing, since bike thieves tend to specialize in defeating one lock design at a time - the same pay-for-tested-security logic applies to your front door, covered in How to Choose a Locksmith in Amsterdam.

The city removed my bike from the street - how do I get it back?

Check Amsterdam's Lost and Found listings first to confirm your bike is at the Fietsdepot, the city's Bicycle Depot at Bornhout 8 in the Westelijk Havengebied. Collecting it in person costs 26 euros, having it delivered costs 46 euros, and a bike removed from city parking also carries a 35 euro storage fee, so bring valid ID, your keys, and a payment card.

Should I register my bike, and where?

Yes - record the manufacturer, model, color, and serial number with the national fietsenregister, and take your own photos as backup. Some municipalities, Amsterdam included, also offer free frame engraving, which makes a recovered bike much easier to match back to its owner.

Is bike theft insurance worth taking out?

Bicycle insurance typically covers the cost of a replacement if your bike is stolen, and some policies bundle GPS tracking that helps locate it quickly. Given how common bike theft is nationwide, it is worth weighing the premium against what the bike, especially an e-bike, would cost to replace outright.

Where is the safest place to lock my bike?

Most bikes are stolen close to home, so treat your own street with the same caution as a train station or city center rack. Always lock the frame, not just a wheel, to something fixed, and never leave it unlocked even for a two-minute errand.

Amsterdam Bike Shops & Repair – Essentially Amsterdam

Essentially Amsterdam Reader's Choice 2026

Bike City

Bloemgracht 68-70, 1015 TL Amsterdam 4.8★★★★★ (326 reviews)

Essentially Amsterdam Reader's Choice 2026

A privately owned bike rental company in the centre of Amsterdam. It rents out classic Dutch bicycles finished in plain black, giving visitors a discreet, authentic way to explore the city on two wheels.

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Fietsenmakerij Het Singel

Singel 268-A, 1016 AC Amsterdam 4.8★★★★★ (178 reviews)

Essentially Amsterdam Reader's Choice 2026

Fietsenmakerij Het Singel is a bicycle shop and repair workshop in central Amsterdam. It sells quality second-hand bikes with a three-month warranty, plus new brand models from Avalon, Batavus, Sparta, Gazelle and Cortina.

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GARILEO BIKES RENTAL & TOURS

Westerpark, Van Hallstraat 87 HS, 1051 HA Amsterdam 5★★★★★ (3103 reviews)

GARILEO BIKES RENTAL & TOURS is a bicycle shop in Amsterdam.

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Bike in Town Amsterdam

Spuistraat 242, 1012 VV Amsterdam 4.8★★★★★ (1144 reviews)

Bike in Town Amsterdam is a bicycle shop in Amsterdam.

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Fietspiraat

Spaarndammerstraat 83A, 1013 TB Amsterdam 4.1★★★★★ (1067 reviews)

Fietspiraat is an Amsterdam specialist in second-hand bicycles of all types and sizes, from omafietsen and city bikes to e-bikes. It offers affordable used cycles and repair service for riders on a budget.

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Bike in Town Rental & Repair

Sint Jacobsstraat 23, 1012 NC Amsterdam 4.8★★★★★ (846 reviews)

Bike in Town Rental & Repair is a bicycle shop in Amsterdam.

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Veni Vidi Velo Mobile Bike Repair

Abrikozenstraat 63, 1033 JX Amsterdam 5★★★★★ (820 reviews)

Veni Vidi Velo Mobile Bike Repair is a bicycle shop in Amsterdam.

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Fietssleutel kwijt Amsterdam

1e Kekerstraat 163, 1104 VA Amsterdam 5★★★★★ (818 reviews)

A mobile bike lock service in Amsterdam for cyclists who have lost a key or whose lock will no longer open. The team travels to any location to open or break open jammed bicycle locks...

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King Bikes

Kerkstraat 143, 1017 GG Amsterdam 4.6★★★★★ (815 reviews)

King Bikes rents bicycles across three locations in Amsterdam and runs guided cycling tours of the city. Riders can book and pay online for a small discount or settle up at the desk on arrival.

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Fietstop

C. van Eesterenlaan 31, 1019 JK Amsterdam 4.8★★★★★ (729 reviews)

Fietstop is a bicycle shop in Amsterdam.

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Fietsfabriek Rijnstraat

Rijnstraat 131, 1079 HB Amsterdam 4.9★★★★★ (714 reviews)

Fietsfabriek Rijnstraat is a bicycle shop in Amsterdam.

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King Bikes – Bike Rental Amsterdam

Spuistraat 1C, 1012 SP Amsterdam 4.7★★★★★ (680 reviews)

King Bikes rents bicycles from three locations across Amsterdam and runs guided bike tours of the city. Customers can pay online for a discount or settle at the desk on arrival, making it a straightforward...

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Amsterdam Bike Shops & Repair

Top Amsterdam Bike Shops & Repair

Bike City

Fietsenmakerij Het Singel

GARILEO BIKES RENTAL & TOURS

Bike in Town Amsterdam

Fietspiraat

Bike in Town Rental & Repair

Veni Vidi Velo Mobile Bike Repair

Fietssleutel kwijt Amsterdam

King Bikes

Fietstop

Fietsfabriek Rijnstraat

King Bikes – Bike Rental Amsterdam

How to choose a bike shop or repair service

Questions people ask

How can I tell if a secondhand bike is stolen before I buy it?

What kind of lock should I buy, and is one enough?

The city removed my bike from the street - how do I get it back?

Should I register my bike, and where?

Is bike theft insurance worth taking out?

Where is the safest place to lock my bike?