Cycling is a common form of transportation is Brugge, both for tourists and for locals. One-way streets are generally open to cyclists going both directions, and there are numerous signposted bicycle routes, including car-free bicycle paths along the canals. Several companies offer guided bicycle tours.
I asked at my hotel where the nearest bicycle rental place was, and they showed me the way to ‘t koffieboontje in the Hallestraat, just off the Market Square.
This is a hotel which also rents out bicycles at the normal prices of 4 Euros for one hour, 8 Euros for half a day or 12 Euros for a full day. (Prices as of 2012.) I was very satisfied with the bike and with their friendly service.
Hallestraat 4, 8000 Brugge
Another centrally located place to rent a bicycle is Eric Populier’s bike shop in the Mariastraat, near the Church of Our Lady and the Saint Salvator Cathedral.I haven’t tried this one, but they make a very professional impression and have the same prices as everyone else in town.
Bike Rental ‘Eric Populier’, Mariastraat 26, 8000 BRUGGE
Brugge, like the rest of Flanders, has a fine network of signposted bicycle routes for local or long distance cycling. The signs on my photo are in Brugge near the beginning of the LF5, a route that is 294 kilometers long and goes across the entire northern end of Belgium, connecting Brugge with a town called Thorn at the other end of the country. http://www.fietsroute.org/
When I visited Brugge in 2012 there were signs in the city center reading “Fiets goed gesloten?” (Bikes securely locked?) with a real chain and lock hanging from the sign for emphasis.
My photos in this post are from 2012. I revised the text in 2017.
See more posts on Brugge/Bruges, Belgium.
oh it is such a lovely city and I love riding my bike. Have you ever been to Antwerp? It is my fave in Belgium actually. Sightseeing and so well suited for bike enthusiasts!
Yes, I’ve been to Antwerp and have lots of photos. Haven’t posted them yet, however.
I like the chain and lock on the sign. Certainly reinforces the point.