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Biking around Keukenhof skill level

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Hi: We will be visiting Keukenhof mid-April. We are interested in exploring the tulip fields around the park and maybe a visit to the Tulip Barn. I am looking at bike rentals for after our park visit. I have a tendency to romanticize certain situations and would like a quick reality check.

How difficult/dangerous is it to bike around Keukenhof? I haven't rode a bike in years and don't want to put my family in a difficult situation.

Are there dedicated and wide bike paths or are we sharing the road with vehicles? I'm looking at the Blue or Green routes on this map as a reference point. https://i0.wp.com/tulipfestivalamsterdam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/keukenhof-routes-2023-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C570&ssl=1

If we choose not to bike, can we easily grab a taxi to and from the Tulip Barn?

Thank you in advance.

Posted by
6116 posts

Just to be clear, you cannot bike inside Keukenhof. The park has bike rentals in the parking lot, for biking outside the park, around the private production fields. We did this spring, 2024, and found the bikes to be in poor shape, and very heavy. Make sure the bike fits your body length. The steering in mine kept pulling left, towards the incoming bikes. And a canal was on the right. I wasn't sure which disaster I'd have. ( Thankfully, none.) Also, the gears kept slipping in both mine and my husband's bikes. We turned around when the bike path ended and we would have been on the road. Overall, I'm glad we did it, but it wasn't carefree. There were lots of other bikers to avoid. We reported the bikes' problems, but observed the staff handing them out to the next folks in line. In addition, it was VERY windy!

I smiled at your mention of romanticized expectations, we all have them. I only answered part of your question, but hopefully I helped a bit.

Have a wonderful time in Keikenhof. It was beyond fantastic - 7 million flower bulbs! Safe travels!

Posted by
111 posts

There are quite a few routes available in the Bollenstreek: https://bollenstreek.nl/things-to-do/cycling/cycling-routes/?lang=en, and various options to rent bikes other than the at the Keukenhof (https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/netherlands/keukenhof-gardens-bike-route-suggestions and https://bollenstreek.nl/things-to-do/cycling/rent-a-bike-bollenstreek-holland/?lang=en). For example, you can rent (electric) bikes close to the Hillegom train station and cycle from there to the Keukenhof.

Do consider electric bikes if you are getting back into the saddle after some time and be aware of bikes with backpedal breaks. I would avoid the latter if you are not used to them.

There will be a mix of dedicated bike paths and shared roads. Dutch car drivers are very much aware of cyclists: They are cyclists themselves and insurance-wise the onus is on the car driver.
From a skill level, it is hard to say as what is your experience and where did you cycle? As a local, it is normal traffic and the "danger" often comes more from tourists making unanticipated movements. Don't cycle in the middle of the shared roads and stay in your line. Don't make sudden movements nor stop unexpected. Plenty of people are cycling around.

How to get to the Tulip Barn without your own transportation? Maybe drop them a note.

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