Amsterdam isn't particularly good for cycling compared with other Dutch cities. I like Groningen ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWf5fbSUNAg ) because they designed infrastructure so that it is often faster to take the bicycle than the car in the city (in Amsterdam that happened more or less by accident).
Groningen is particular interesting because their were (probably) the first city in the world that gave priority to bicycles and public transport. On 19 sept 1977 the Verkeercirculatieplan [0] came into effect that prevented cars from passing through the city center. Cars had to circle around the old center. This revolutionary plan was envisioned by a couple of young politicians of the Social Democratic party, in particular Jacques Wallage, who took power in 1972 [1] to form the first Dutch left wing B&w [2].
Living in Berlin now for a while. Getting around in Mitte by bike is - in my experience - usually faster than car and public transport. And the city is all but build with bicycles in mind. Íd say infrastructure design is about safety and convenience, rather than speed.
Copenhagen has a constant PR push for international recognition of their biking prowess, including such histrionics as labelling themselves the “bike capital of the world.” Of course, we all know who that really is; the silent captain who needs no validation.
Just the Netherlands in general. In fact, Amsterdam has so many tourists that don't understand how biking works in the Netherlands that you're arguably better off in just about any other Dutch city.
There was a recent article that showed the dutch mostly bike under a kilometer They love their cars in holland. Also these polluting 50cc scooters are allowed to use bike lanes there - they’re ubiquitous and awful
There is nothing but houses and a hospital within a kilometer of me. The closest store is about 5km and with the hills would be serious cardio there and back.
Biking sounds fine until you think about being sick and needing to run to the store with a fever.
