What’s Earth Overshoot Day?

Think of it like this: Planet Earth has an annual budget of natural goodies it can regenerate each year- clean air and water, forests, fish, fertile land, you name it. Earth Overshoot Day is the date when humanity, collectively, has used up that entire budget for the year. After that day, we’re basically dipping into next year’s resources and piling up waste like CO2. It’s calculated by comparing our global demand (our “Ecological Footprint”) with what the Earth can supply (its “biocapacity”).

May 5th? Already? The Dutch Overshoot Day

Here’s the surprising part: for 2025, the Netherlands’ Overshoot Day is estimated to be May 5th. That feels like it is early, right? Especially for a country known for being green and innovative. To put that into perspective, this implies that humanity’s consumption rate requires the resources of over 3 Earths to be sustainable for the year. It makes you wonder what’s going on behind the scenes in the Netherlands.

Why So Early for the Netherlands?

It’s a mix of things. Even with great green efforts, the average consumption level per person here is quite high. Plus, the Netherlands is a bustling, densely populated country on a relatively small piece of land. Historically, there’s been a reliance on fossil fuels (though the switch to renewables is happening!), and this is reflected in the footprint breakdown. The Carbon Footprint, mainly from burning fossil fuels for energy, transport, and industry, is the biggest chunk, making up about 60% of the total Dutch Ecological Footprint.

The large and intensive agricultural sector also plays a significant role. The Food Footprint (which includes cropland, grazing land for livestock, and fishing grounds) accounts for roughly 24% of the total footprint. High consumption of meat and dairy contributes significantly to this, and the country also faces challenges with high nitrogen emissions from agriculture. Also, in our globalised world, a lot of what we consume is linked to resources and production happening elsewhere.

You can check the Earth Overshoot days for others countries here:

https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/newsroom/country-overshoot-days/

Thinking Bigger: Planetary Boundaries

Earth Overshoot Day ties into a bigger idea called Planetary Boundaries. Scientists have identified nine key processes that keep our planet stable and liveable – things like climate stability, healthy biodiversity, and clean freshwater. These boundaries define a “safe zone” for us. Pushing past these limits increases the risk of major, potentially irreversible environmental changes. Sadly, we’ve already crossed several of these boundaries, which makes reducing our overshoot even more important.

Making a Difference, Amsterdam Style!

The good news? Living in Amsterdam gives us loads of great ways to help push that Overshoot Date back! We can all contribute in many ways:

• Embrace Dutch Transport: Getting around by bike, bakfiets, or public transport isn’t just practical here, it’s a powerful way to lower our carbon footprint.
• Tap into Great Water: Amsterdam’s tap water is excellent! Carrying a reusable bottle is such an easy win against single-use plastic.
• Eat Consciously: Shopping at local markets for seasonal produce and reducing meat consumption are tasty ways to be kinder to the planet.

For more ideas, check out the insights in the Amsterdam Mamas article, “The Circular Path to Sustainability” (https://amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/the-circular-path-to-sustainability/) and “Keeping it Cool” (https://amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/keeping-it-cool/).

A Nudge for Earth Day and Every Day

Earth Overshoot Day is like an annual check-up for our planet, reminding us of the goals we celebrate on Earth Day. It shows us where we’re overspending our natural budget. Caring for our planet isn’t just for April 22nd; it’s an everyday thing. The aim is to #MoveTheDate back, year by year.

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Top Trees

Every year, the conversation around the most sustainable Christmas tree reignites. While artificial trees might seem environmentally friendly due to their reusability, the reality is more complex.

• A real tree, if disposed of responsibly (e.g., chipped for mulch or used as firewood), has a carbon footprint of about 3.5 kg of CO₂ over its lifecycle. If left to decompose in a landfill, this footprint jumps to 16 kg of CO₂ due to methane emissions.
• By contrast, an artificial tree’s production and disposal create a much higher footprint—around 40 kg of CO₂—requiring many years of use to rival the environmental impact of a real tree. Nearly 90% of them are shipped across the world from China and are made with plastic which is toxic and often ends up in landfills.

When sustainably grown (without pesticides) and recycled properly, real trees are the eco-friendlier option. Beyond their low environmental impact, tree plantations also provide habitats for various species.

In Amsterdam, the municipality makes it easy to dispose of Christmas trees sustainably. With 2,000 collection points across the city, residents can drop off their trees between December 27 and January 19. These are then turned into compost, closing the loop on tree waste. Find your nearest collection point on the municipality’s official website.

There are also even more sustainable ways to enjoy a Christmas tree:

1. Potted Trees: Purchase a living tree in a pot and reuse it every year. Not only does this reduce your carbon footprint, but the tree continues to absorb CO₂ throughout its life.
2. Rent a Tree: Services like Kerstboom.nu allow you to rent a tree that is replanted after the holidays.
3. Adopt a Tree: Programs like Adopteer Een Kerstboom provide an option to “adopt” a tree for reuse, combining the joy of a real tree with sustainable practices.
4. Skip the Tree: Create a festive atmosphere using natural, reusable materials—garlands of greenery, handmade wreaths, or even a creative wall display.
5. Use a home plant you already have and decorate it!
6. Forage for an already fallen branch, bring it home and use it as tree. Post Christmas you can return it to the woods and use it again for Easter as an Easter tak.

(Don’t) Shop till you drop

The Holiday season (most often) comes with a frenzy of shopping, but a circular approach can bring meaning and sustainability to your celebrations. If you’re new to these ideas, check out our recent article on The Circular Path to Sustainability, which offers practical tips on adopting circular principles in everyday life. Applying these ideas during Christmas can make your celebrations more meaningful and eco-conscious:

• Second-Hand Items: Surveys show that nearly half of the respondents believe the stigma around second-hand gifting is fading, and that platforms like Marktplaats and thrift stores (kringloop winkels) in Amsterdam offer pre-loved treasures. This approach is also certainly budget friendlier..
• Experience Gifts: If second-hand gifting isn’t your style, consider tickets to a museum like the NEMO Science Museum or an ice-skating pass for the festive rink in Museumplein. An ‘experience gift’, can be shared together and create lasting memories without producing waste.
• Mindful Consumption: Avoid the “buy-now” trap. (Try the documentary The True Cost, to see how overconsumption has hidden environmental and social costs.)
• DIY Décor: Get creative with the kids! Use natural elements like pinecones, dried oranges, and paper chains to craft unique decorations.
• Recycled Lights: Use LED lights, which are energy-efficient and long-lasting, reducing the need for replacements next year.
• Second-Hand Ornaments: Hunt for unique, vintage ornaments in Amsterdam’s thrift stores or markets for make a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree this year!

By rethinking your Christmas trees, Christmas gifts, and Christmas decorations, you can celebrate a Christmas that’s truly giving ‘joy to the world’.

The post I’m dreaming of a ‘green’ Christmas appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

We live in a world built ‘of, by and for’ a linear economy, where daily habits involve ‘take, make, use, and throw away’. This approach to consumption is not only resource-intensive but also unsustainable, contributing to enormous amounts of waste and greenhouse gas emissions that are driving the climate crisis to a pinnacle. Here are some facts about the fashion industry, as an example, to think about:

• Up to 100 billion new garments are produced each year, yet 87% of materials end up in landfills, contributing to 92 million tons of textile waste annually.
• Each year, 23 billion pairs of shoes are manufactured, and 22 billion are thrown away, creating a staggering amount of waste.
• The fashion industry alone is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions, more than the aviation and shipping industries combined.
• Textiles in landfills also release methane, a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat, accelerating global warming.

Despite global commitments like the Paris Agreement, the climate crisis shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, projections indicate that temperatures could rise by more than 2°C if current trends continue.

But what is Circularity?

Imagine a forest. In nature, nothing goes to waste. When leaves fall, they decompose, enriching the soil for new plants to grow. Animals eat plants, and their waste becomes fertiliser. Everything in nature is reused or recycled, thus sustaining life without creating garbage.

What if we looked at our daily activities and products used in a similar fashion? Circularity offers us this opportunity, it is a refreshing alternative to the wasteful “take, make, and dispose” model. The idea is to keep products, materials, and resources in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and harmful environmental impacts in the process. By maximising a product’s lifespan, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with both new production and end-of-life disposal while continuing to receive the same benefits.

The city of Amsterdam is at the forefront of adopting the circular economy, with a bold target to become 100% circular by 2050. As families in Amsterdam, we have the power to make this vision a reality in our everyday lives. Here are some practical ways your family can contribute to a circular economy and make a lasting impact:

• Buy Second-Hand: Before buying new items, consider second-hand options for children’s clothes, toys, and furniture. Platforms like Vinted, Marktplaats, or local thrift shops/kringloop winkles offer great alternatives. By choosing second-hand, you reduce demand for new resources and save money—making it a win for both your wallet and the environment.
• Repair Instead of Replace: Children outgrow things quickly, and items often break. Instead of discarding them, try repairing them. Amsterdam’s Repair Cafés provide spaces where you can fix everything from broken toys to strollers. These cafés also offer advice on DIY repairs, empowering you to extend the life of your belongings. Innovative products like the Fairphone (a smartphone designed for easy repair) are great examples of circular products designed to last.
• Buy Circular Products: Look for companies that prioritize circularity, such as Patagonia, known for its durable, repairable gear, or MUD Jeans, which offer jeans that you can lease, repair, or return for recycling.
• Swap and Share: Participate in community swap events or create your own swap groups with friends and neighbours. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation provides a great analogy: A drill is typically used for only a few seconds in its lifetime so why buy one when you can share it? Swapping baby clothes, toys, and household items reduces waste and creates opportunities for others to benefit from things you no longer need.
• Upcycle with Your Kids: Get creative and turn old items into something new through upcycling. Whether it’s transforming old clothes into tote bags or using packaging for craft projects, upcycling is a fun family activity that teaches kids the value of creativity and sustainability. It’s also a great way to reduce waste and give old items new life.

Let’s start with small, intentional changes — As families in Amsterdam, we have the chance to lead by example and support the city’s ambition to become fully circular by 2050.

The post The circular path to sustainability appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

In a dramatic sign of the escalating climate crisis, the past twelve months have been the hottest on record globally, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), a climate monitoring service funded by the European Commission. Regions across the world are experiencing unprecedented heat waves, with temperatures soaring to dangerous levels, threatening lives and livelihoods.

The global conversation about climate change often revolves around the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This target, established by the Paris Agreement, is crucial for mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change. But what does 1.5 degrees mean?

1.5 degrees explained

Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius means that by the year 2100, the world’s average surface temperature will have risen no more than 1.5°C (2.7°F) warmer than pre-industrial levels. The 1.5°C threshold was the stretch target established in the Paris Agreement in 2015, a treaty in which 195 nations pledged to tackle climate change. It’s a political target but informed by science, by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

At 1.5 degrees of warming, significant impacts will already be evident, including more frequent and severe heatwaves, increased droughts, and more intense storms. Coral reefs are likely to decline by 70-90%, and there will be greater risks to health, livelihoods, food security and water supply. Beyond 1.5 degrees, the impacts become more severe. We are already experiencing these changes, as the average global temperature over the past 12 months was 1.63 degrees above pre-industrial levels, according to C3S. Although the 1.5-degree target refers to long-term warming over decades, scientists warn that this temporary breach is alarming.

What does 1.5 degrees mean for families, and how can we adapt our lifestyles to contribute to this global effort?

Families are at the heart of communities, and the choices they make collectively can have a significant impact on the environment. From daily habits to long-term investments, each decision contributes to either exacerbating or mitigating climate change. Embracing a 1.5 degrees lifestyle involves making mindful changes that reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability.

Steps to a 1.5 Degrees Lifestyle for Families

Reduce Energy Consumption: According to the European Environment Agency, industry is responsible for 26% of total emissions, while households account for 25%. This means that the general public’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is nearly equal to that of the industrial sector. Therefore, using energy-efficient appliances, switching to renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, and improving home insulation to reduce heating and cooling needs can play a crucial role in reducing emissions.

Sustainable Transportation: Opt for walking, cycling, public transport, carpooling or electric vehicles over traditional fossil fuel-powered cars.

Dietary Changes: Food production is responsible for one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, making our daily dietary choices a significant factor in environmental degradation. According to a graphic from Our World In Data, which illustrates GHG emissions from 29 food products, animal-based foods generally have a higher carbon footprint than plant-based ones. Therefore, reducing meat consumption, especially beef and lamb which are the highest emitters, can be particularly impactful.

Waste Reduction: Minimize waste by recycling, composting, and reducing plastic usage. Aim to buy products with minimal packaging and consider second-hand options.

Conscious Consumption: Adopting a “1.5 degrees lifestyle” involves making choices that reduce your carbon footprint, such as mindful consumption, supporting eco-friendly brands, and reducing overall material consumption.

Advocate and Educate: Support policies and leaders committed to climate action and educate others about the importance of reducing carbon footprints and adopting sustainable practices.

Adopting a 1.5 degrees lifestyle is not about sacrifice at all; it’s about improving quality of life for you and your families and all future generations. Families can enjoy healthier diets, more physical activity, and a stronger sense of community. Financial savings from reduced energy and water bills are a bonus. Most importantly, it fosters a sense of purpose and responsibility, knowing that your family is contributing to a healthier planet.

The post Keeping it Cool appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

If you are new to Amsterdam, you are likely shocked at the sheer volume of bikes everywhere. In fact, there are approximately 23 million bikes in the Netherlands which equates to an average of 1.3 bikes per person!

Although biking is the preferred method of transportation in Amsterdam, some newly arrived expats can be hesitant to get on a two-wheeler. I get it! Even as a Dane (I was basically born on a bike) who hadn’t biked for many years after moving to Amsterdam from London, it took me a fair amount of courage and a little practice to get back on the bike-lane. Now, there is not a single day that I don’t bike and I absolutely love it! For those who drive a car, it’s the same feeling of complete independence and ability to get on your own without relying on others.

I hope this short article will help newcomers to Amsterdam with a few practical tips on how to bike in a safe way and what to look out for.

Traffic hierarchy:

The hierarchy is as follows – Trams, bikes, pedestrians, moving vehicles (cars, buses). While cars will stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings, bikes often don’t. Legally they should, but in practice they often don’t. There is a pragmatic reason for this in the sense that the sheer volume of bikes would mean a constant stop to the flow of traffic. As a pedestrian you can easily stop walking, but if bikes have to stop at all crossings it would clog up the bike lanes and make it unsafe at times. As a cyclist you need to pay attention to zebra-crossings, try to signal or make eye contact with pedestrians in order to “agree” on who goes first. Personally, I always stop for elderly people, children and often tourists if easily identifiable (the ones who walk leisurely  in the bike lanes and cross any street only looking at the pretty surroundings… you know who I am talking about).

Helmet or no helmet?

It is shocking for many non-Dutch expats to see so many bikes, but no helmets, me included. In Denmark most cyclists wear a helmet, especially children and so for this reason I did too when I arrived in Amsterdam…but it didn’t last long. Biking is generally not considered dangerous here and therefore helmets are not mandatory or even encouraged. However it is a personal choice and if you want to wear a helmet to feel more comfortable, you should not hesitate doing it. With the rise in electric bikes I would not be surprised if we start seeing more cyclists in Amsterdam with helmets on.

How many people can you fit on a bike?

“A lot”, is the answer and there are no rules on how you carry them! I often wonder if I am at the circus or on my way to work when I see people standing at the back or front of someone else’s bike. It is quite an acrobatic skill to commute this way, but it is not illegal. However, children under the age of 8 must have a designated seat on a bike so please keep this in mind. Parents in Amsterdam often bike their children around in a bakfiets (cargo bike). Two-wheelers are preferred over three-wheelers as they take up less space on the bike lane. There are many places where you can test-bike bakfiets before buying one. Juizz Amsterdam is a good place to start.

Where is a good place to start?

If you are not yet ready for the bike-lanes of the city, but still want to practice, going to less busy areas or parks is a good way to start. Although tempting, avoid Vondelpark on a sunny weekend afternoon. It is complete carnage with runners, bikers, walkers, tourists, bike tours and all sorts of other people. Rembrandt park is lovely and more quiet. You can also go early in the morning (before 9am) to the 9 streets or the Jordaan or any of the inner canals. Take in the sights with minimal pedestrians or other cyclists.

Texting while biking: A personal story

Completely illegal! In fact, any distractions on your phone while biking is a traffic violation. Let me tell you a personal story to warn you of the dangers of distracted biking. A few weeks ago I was biking through Vondelpark on my bakfiets with one of my kids. I took my phone out of my pocket as I felt it vibrate. The moment I looked at my screen, two uniformed police officers appeared out of nowhere and signalled me to pull over. They asked for my ID and how long I had been living in the Netherlands. Naïve as I was, I thought maybe they were doing a random police survey, but when the police officer informed me that texting while biking was made illegal in the Netherlands two years ago, I realized I was in trouble and not taking part in a survey….

Of course I understand that it is common sense not to text while biking, I genuinely didn’t know that it was ILLEGAL. After all, it feels as though the general biking rules in the Netherlands are quite lax… am I right?!

Without any hesitation, the police officer asked for my address and said that a fine would be sent to me. I asked if a warning was not sufficient as this was my first ever traffic violation, but my efforts were in vain.

Alas, I did the crime and will accept the punishment. I asked the police officer how much the fine would be (thinking it would be around 40 EUR in line with a small speeding ticket). Oh boy, was I wrong. The fine was 169 EUR and arrived promptly the next day in my mailbox with a convenient link to pay via IDEAL.

Safe to say, my phone is now safely stored away in my backpack whenever I get on my bike. For clarification I should add that any phone activity while biking is illegal so whether you are looking at directions or changing a song on Spotify, just don’t do it. Get a phone holder instead which will keep you both safe and financially stable.

Biking is a fun, healthy, sustainable and a very inexpensive form of transport. It is a great way to discover Amsterdam at your own pace and an even better way to integrate into the true Dutch lifestyle. Take it easy in the beginning, and before you know it, you will be parading around Amsterdam without even touching your steering wheel! Good luck and happy fietsen!

The post Life on 2 wheels appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

If the city’s hoofdgroenstructuur is a new concept for you, as it was for me, please read on, because I’ve done some digging about what it means for Amsterdam and its residents, so that you can cast your votes with some background knowledge and, hopefully, confidence!

As we are all witnessing, Amsterdam continues to grow as more people move to the city, requiring homes and other amenities. The Amsterdam Gemeente has produced the Amsterdam Environmental Vision 2050 (‘2050 Vision’), with a view to ensuring that the city’s green areas continue to be strengthened and protected as the city grows. This recognises that greenery is important for residents’ mental and physical health and recreation, as well as for nature, biodiversity, flood prevention and city cooling.

A number of Amsterdam residents have collected more than 11,000 signatures, objecting to certain elements of the 2050 Vision, and these are enough to trigger a public referendum on it, asking residents whether they are for or against the hoofdgroenstructuur. This is an advisory referendum, and its result is non-binding, but it will provide the Gemeente with a feeling for the public mood surrounding its proposals.

Against

You can read more about the reasons to vote against the hoofdgroenstructuur via this link: https://rhgs.nl

For

You can read more about the reasons to vote for the hoofdgroenstructuur via this link:

https://www.amsterdam.nl/wonen-leefomgeving/hoofdgroenstructuur/

Rather counterintuitively, the main reasons cited for voting against the hoofdgroenstructuur is that its green protections don’t go far enough and nor are they binding by law. Instead, those fighting against the Gemeente’s plans want to see further consultation with residents that result in stronger protections for the city’s green places.

Happy voting to you all tomorrow!

The post Tomorrow’s Vote on Amsterdam’s Green Space Policy – What’s it all About? appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

It’s pouring rain, blustery, and cold … and somehow you have to bring all the precious art from your daughter’s year-long art classes home and it has to be today; you want to take a jaunt into the countryside to see some sights and getting there by bus or train will take hours compared to 30 minutes by car; you have to get to to an event very early in the morning, too early for the metro, but too far away for a taxi/Uber …

Let’s face it. Sometimes only a car will do!  Here are some options for you.  

Car Hire/Car Rental

Using a major rental company is often the easiest way to grab a car for a quick trip. 

• They have more flexibility than car-sharing for longer trips, one-way trips and last minute needs, and offer a variety of models, and more payment options. 
• They are also simple to procure: you must be over 18 and have a license, although the license does not have to be Dutch or EU (check with your agency if you have any concerns about your driver’s license). 
• They’re economical: if you can drive them, manual transmission cars are a much cheaper rental option – you can save as much as 30-50% compared to an automatic!

Normally, you do have to get yourself to the rental agency, but some have free pick-up and delivery within a specified radius. Here are some of the biggest car rental companies serving the Amsterdam area:

Avis

Budget

Hertz

Sixt

Green Motion

To simplify choosing an agency, and to find the best value for your needs, consider visiting a comparison search site.

Car Share Services

If you have a driver’s license, a pin card, and are over 18, you can sign up for car share services online. Here are three of the biggest:

ConnectCar

Green Wheels

car2go  (currently requires valid EU license of at least one year)  

Fees

All of these car share services:

• require a deposit that is returned when you close your account and all outstanding fees are paid in full
• offer an option where you only pay when you take a car out 
• accept debit/pin cards.

Some companies also accept credit cards, and have monthly subscriptions for those who plan to use a car more regularly. There is usually a deductible (eigen risico) in case of accident. There are other penalty fees for not following rules, such as returning cars late or leaving the car a mess, so read all the information carefully and ask questions before taking a car out.  

How It Works

The registration process is not complicated, but providing the required documents and setting up payment can take a little while, so allow a week or two before the date you need the car for this process to take place. Some services also have to send you a card for locking and unlocking the car (Green Wheels allows you to use your OV-chip card to do this). 

Car-share reservations can often be made up to the very last minute. It’s possible to make a reservation from a phone app while standing next to a car you want! You have to get yourself to the car, which can vary from very convenient to not so convenient, but it is still generally closer and easier than getting to a rental car. Most of the time you must return the car to the same spot. You can arrange for a car in a different city or location from your own, such as from a train station. There are instructions in the car for starting it, for reporting damage before and after use, for using a gasoline card found in the car, and for returning the car.  Billing takes place online after the car is returned. Currently, car2go has trip distance limitations, but many of the companies do not, and you can even take a car for multi-day trips, and to nearby countries.

What You Get

The cars themselves tend to be pretty basic: most do not have GPS, none have or even allow towing. Some, however, have air-conditioning or automatic transmission. If you need a specific feature and it is available, you can request that model car in your reservation, though it may mean you have to go further afield to get your car. Child car seats are not provided, but some companies rent them. Each company varies on pet policy, from none at all to pets-in-carrier only, and all the companies have extra cleaning fees if pet hair or messes are reported by follow-on users.  

Carsharing

Carsharing is a rapidly growing business model that works very much like Airbnb: companies provide a space for car owners to meet renters needing a car for a fixed period. As in Airbnb, providing feedback about owners, renters, and the overall rental experience is an important part of ensuring the integrity of the process. Just as in carsharing, users must register and be approved to drive. There are different locking/unlocking procedures, and fees are outlined on websites. One nice feature of renting privately owned cars is the great variety of models you can find. In fact, Snappcar has filters that allow users to search for a specific type of vehicle: vans, campers, electric cars, antique, and even open-top convertibles (if you simply want to go for a spin)! 

The most prominent carsharing companies are:

Snappcar

Mywheels

Carpooling

If you enjoy having company while you travel, a carpoooling service might be a good option for you. It allows you to find someone who would like to fill any empty seats in their car and share gas costs. You increase your carpooling options the more flexible you are about your pickup and dropoff points. Although using carpooling for short trips does not appear to be cheaper than using public transportation, the equation changes when you have a more distant destination like Paris or Berlin. The biggest carpooling company at present is:

Blablacar

Taxis and Uber

With a little planning, car share and rental car services can save you money over taxis, but taxis and Uber are your best bet for last minute car needs. 

Taxis

Taxis are very easy to use in Amsterdam.  A licensed taxi has roof lights displaying the name of the operator and blue number plates. Because space in Amsterdam is limited, taxis cannot stop anywhere they like and this is one of the reasons why there are so many fixed taxi stands. Gemeente Amsterdam has a list of approved taxi companies, including photos of what their roof lights look like.

Be aware of the rules for taxi drivers and fare calculations, and know there is a online place to make a complaint.

Amsterdam Taxi Online has a very nice fare calculator program and makes it easy to order a cab. 

Uber

Uber can be less expensive than taxis, but it requires a bit more work on the user end. The best thing to do with Uber is download the app to your mobile device and enter all your info, including payment details. Then any time you need an Uber, you can call it from your smartphone and without needing to have any cash or cards handy – it will automatically be billed to your account.

The Uber app can be fun, too! You can watch the graphic of the little car approaching, and you can clearly see how much time you have to wait. Make sure to check how far away an Uber car is before requesting a pickup; it could be 25 minutes away, or only a few minutes, in which case you need to be ready to go! If you ever have a problem with Uber billing incorrectly, the customer service part of the app is easy to use. You can fill out a form and get your refund all online.  

Be aware, however, that in major locations, like airports or big hotels, Uber cars often cannot pick up at taxi stands, which are in prime locations. In such cases, a taxi is often easier because they are right where you need them to be.

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Imagine a camping holiday with two adults, two kids, two bikes and two trailers – all on public transport! It can be done; it just requires a little forward planning…

My Top Tips 

1. Take only the minimum. If you are going to be cycling you have very limited space. Every kilo counts. Both bikes had side bags (total weight 50 kg per bike). I had a trailer with kids (total weight 50 kg), and my husband had the trailer with camping gear (total weight 100 kg).

2. Pack well. I mean maximise every inch of space available.

3. Plan your trip around rush-hour regulations. You are only allowed to take your bike onto trains outside of the rush hour (before 06:30, between 09:00-16:00 and after 18:30). On the metro, bikes are allowed before 07:00, between 09:00-16:00 and after 18:30.

4. Your bike needs a ticket too. Make sure you purchase a day ticket for your bike, otherwise you risk a fine. If you have a foldable bike, however, you don’t need to pay.

5. Allow plenty of time. If you mean to travel by train, but need to pile in multiple bikes or trailers into the train, try to travel from a station where the train stops a little longer and its not too crowded. The NS app can be helpful. 

6. Park your bike in designated compartments. Look for the bike icon on the train/metro door. In the train, bikes have priority in those spaces because they can’t go anywhere else. So if there are people sitting in the bike spots, you do have the right to ask them to move. Note that bikes are not usually allowed on trams, except for Tram 26.

7. In the train, arrange bikes by order. If there are several bikes in the designated bike space, ask the owners (if around) who will exit the train the earliest, and arrange the bikes accordingly. Nobody likes digging their bike out from under a pile.

8. Lock your bike. This stops it sliding around the train.

9. Sit close to your bike. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on it.

10. Remove your belongings (e.g. side-bags) from your bike and take them with you. This way, more bikes can fit side by side.

11. Bike trailers are not allowed on the train. In our case, we used a Chariot, which doubles up as both a bike trailer and a buggy; and a Radical Design Cyclone trailer, which is a fully collapsible duffel bag on wheels.

12. Check your route for rail engineering works or other delays using this link. While bikes and trailers are allowed on the train, transporting them on replacement buses along your route is going to complicate matters significantly.

13. Ensure your end station has a lift which works, and is big enough to transport all your bike gear. Again, the NS website has a specific section where you can look up the facilities at each station.

14. Enjoy the trip itself – it’s all part of being on holiday!

If you don’t want the hassle of transporting your bike on the train, you can always rent a bike at your destination via the OV fiets system.

The Next Step

Once both kids can cycle, we’ll probably try a proper cycling holiday: bike to our destination, set up a tent, sleep the night, pack everything up again, and cycle for another day. It will be a good way to get the whole family fit and active. Just pray that the weather will be kind to us!

photo credit: Niina Nuottamo

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