Hundreds of bicyclists pour through Amsterdam national museum after 10-year detour

May 13, 2013 - Hundreds of bicycles pass through Rijksmuseum, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (AP)

Bicycles pass through Rijksmuseum, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday May 13, 2013, signaling the end of more than a decade of efforts by cyclists to ensure a passageway that runs under and through the Rijksmuseum would remain open to bike traffic. The museum, which houses masterpieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh, among others, opened last month after a 10-year renovation. Architects and successive museum directors had opposed allowing bikes through, and a local government tried to have them barred on safety grounds. But in a city that has more bicycles than people, the bike lobby prevailed. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (The Associated Press)

Bicycles pass through the reopened bike path under Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam Monday May 13, 2013. Hundreds of bicycles pedaled triumphantly through Rijksmuseum, signaling the end of more than a decade of efforts by cyclists to ensure a passageway that runs under and through the Rijksmuseum would remain open to bike traffic. The museum, which houses masterpieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh, among others, opened last month after a 10-year renovation. Architects and successive museum directors had opposed allowing bikes through, and a local government tried to have them barred on safety grounds. But in a city that has more bicycles than people, the bike lobby prevailed. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (The Associated Press)

Hundreds of bicycles are pedaling triumphantly through the Netherlands' national museum in Amsterdam, signaling the end of more than a decade of efforts by cyclists to ensure a passageway that runs under and through the Rijksmuseum would remain open to bike traffic.

Bikers began ringing their bells and then a cheer went up at 6 p.m. local time Monday, when guards removed metal fences that were the last remaining barrier.

The museum, which houses masterpieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh, among others, opened last month after a 10-year renovation. Architects and museum directors wanted the bike path space for the museum, and a local government tried to bar bicycles on safety grounds.

But in a city that has more bikes than people, the cyclist lobby prevailed.