Underwater garages planned for Amsterdam's bikes

A huge waterfront garage and parking islands are planned for Amsterdam's cycling hordes. Picture / AP

Cycling has become so popular in Amsterdam that officials have drawn up plans for underwater garages to meet demand.

The Dutch city, renowned as Europe's cycling capital and home to more than 800,000 bicycles - almost one per head of population - wants to create a 7000-space bicycle garage beneath its waterfront.

The new parking space, which will be excavated beneath the harbour to the south side of the city's Central Station, will connect commuters to their bikes from the metro system via underground pedestrian tunnels.

Two floating islands with space for 2000 bicycles each will also be constructed on the north side of the station in the harbour, which forms Amsterdam's waterfront.

About 21,500 places in total will be created at the station by 2030.

More than half of Amsterdam's 810,000 residents use their bicycles daily, but the city has just 400,000 designated bicycle parking spaces.

Bicycles are considered the fastest way to navigate the city's winding 17th century streets.

More than 480km of cycling lanes have been constructed since the 1970s, when the city took action against rising car traffic after a series of fatal accidents.

Bicycle parking is notoriously difficult around major transit hubs, with commuters jostling for space.