City of Amsterdam Bicycle Depot

The City of Amsterdam Bicycle Depot is the central facility for storing bikes removed by city authorities, primarily those considered abandoned or illegally parked. Visitors generally appreciate the depot’s organized system and the staff’s efficiency in reuniting people with their bikes. However, many are frustrated by the depot’s remote location, the logistical challenge of reaching it, and occasional bureaucratic delays. Recent reviews often highlight clear communication but also mention lengthy wait times and impersonal service. Expect a functional, well-managed space that efficiently handles the massive volume of bikes in Amsterdam, but don’t expect a welcoming visitor experience.

If you think your bike was taken by the city, check verlorenofgevonden.nl first. It is the official lost-and-found register, and it shows whether a removed bike has arrived at the depot before you make the trip.

The depot is open Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:30, and Saturday from 09:00 to 12:30. After 11:00 on a Saturday it gets busy, and the wait can reach an hour.

Bring valid photo ID, the keys to your bike, and a debit or credit card. You pay at the counter when you collect your bike, and there is no other way to settle the fee.

Collecting your own bike costs €26. Having it delivered to an address in Amsterdam instead costs €46. If your bike was removed from a municipal bike parking rather than from the street, the fee is €35.

How long a bike is kept depends on why it was taken. One judged abandoned is held for two weeks, and one that was simply unused or wrongly parked is held for four weeks. After that it is reused or donated, so collect it before the deadline if the municipality sent you a letter about it.

The depot sits in the Westelijk Havengebied, a working harbour area with no tram or metro stop nearby. Check a journey planner such as 9292.nl for the current bus connection from Amsterdam Centraal or Sloterdijk before you set out.

For what to do if your bike is stolen rather than removed by the city, see our guide to what to do when your bike is stolen in Amsterdam. Our Amsterdam cycling rules guide and bicycle and moped rules guide cover how a bike ends up at the depot in the first place.

• Streamlined bike retrieval system
• Efficient handling of large volumes
• Informative staff instructions