I want to know about cycling in Dublin!

DublinCycling

What are your comments/concerns about cycling in Dublin? What do you like and not like about cycling in the city? Do you commute to work via bicycle and how far do you commute, approximately?

If you don't cycle to work, why don't you and what would make you cycle more?

Lumen

Is this you?

Chips Lovell

Are you researching something?

Morgan

Are you going to steal our identities?

DublinCycling

No, that isn't me. I am a student doing some research on what can be improved about cycling in Dublin. Sorry to disappoint!

If you're looking to get the opinions of people who don't cycle to work, it might be better posting it in Motors or Commuting & Transport.

Chips Lovell

Get rid of the cycle lanes and keep the roads in good repair. That's all I ask.

DublinCycling

Thank you for that! I'm mostly curious as to what people who do cycle to work think of it, as first-hand knowledge is something I lack.

Lumen

Like: attractive women on bikes, deer in the park, singing in the rain.
Dislike: PM10s, cycle lanes, lack of shower facilities.
Commute to work 2 days a week.
Would cycle more if I lived in the Alps and was unemployed.

Taltos

Howdy.
Live in D12 - work though 10miles away in D15.
There is no easy option for me to cycle to/from work.
Really want to - num of reasons - health, used to love cycling.

But
there is no safe route for me to follow. Driving this route last 4 yrs I have seen a number of cyclists having to deal with
1) cars parked in cycle lanes
2) buses/taxis/cars going thru cycle lanes
3) navigating major junctions
4) being overtaken by agressive/frustrated drivers on Knockmaroon hill

Not sure if this will help - but 6 yrs ago I saw a fantasitc cycle route scheme in Oulu in Finland - route was separate to road, had it's own underpasses, separate to pedestrians - and if any were on the route they had to give way. The Finnish were great - they really respected this and the cycling there seemed really safe.

Hoping for the day I can cycle to work - just hope I will not be too old by then.

DublinCycling

Thanks Taltos, I was in Amsterdam recently and their infrastructure for cycling is so well-integrated in the same manner, it sounds as Finland! I agree that other countries in Europe are doing it better. Learning how to improve it based on what comments are made..thanks for the feedback.

rottenhat

Cycle to work four days a week, 18km each way. I would prefer to see no cycle lanes at all rather than the incoherent badly-maintained mess that we have now. I would like to see a more tolerant and responsible approach from all road-users, two-wheeled or four-wheeled. And I would like to see the coach driver who tried to run me off the road yesterday lose his driving license and his job.

72hundred

Lumen wrote: »

attractive women on bikes

Doubt we'll be seeing that in Dublin any time soon with this weather!

Húrin

I cycle to work daily. I think that cycling in Dublin is fine, but that's only because I don't feel intimidated by cars. I see many adults cycling on pavements presumably because they are. Which is odd because statistically there is no evidence that cars pose any significant danger to cyclists.

Unlike other posters here, I think we need Dutch style or Danish style segregated cycling infrastructure. Of course, the "diehard cycle commuters" (among whom I unabashedly number myself) will ride on whatever, but too many people perceive cycling as dangerous. To encourage these people to cycle to work we need infrastructure that looks and makes people feel safe.

Taltos wrote: »

Howdy.
Live in D12 - work though 10miles away in D15.
There is no easy option for me to cycle to/from work.
Really want to - num of reasons - health, used to love cycling.

But
there is no safe route for me to follow. Driving this route last 4 yrs I have seen a number of cyclists having to deal with
1) cars parked in cycle lanes
2) buses/taxis/cars going thru cycle lanes
3) navigating major junctions
4) being overtaken by agressive/frustrated drivers on Knockmaroon hill

Taltos, this is the story with all of Dublin (except 4).

If you really want to cycle you should do so, and assertively (not aggressively). You have as much right to the road as any motor vehicle, and you should use it. If there's cars parked in the bike lane, cycle in the car lane - you're left with no choice and it is thus your right. Most drivers I find are quite understanding of that.

There is no such thing as being too old to cycle. There are plenty of old men around who have always cycled, and do so as well as ever now. It is possible that one can be too old to start cycling. You may be waiting that long before quality infrastructure is delivered here. So get on your bike! Perhaps there are quieter routes to take?

Chips Lovell

Húrin wrote: »

I think that cycling in Dublin is fine, but that's only because I don't feel intimidated by cars. I see many adults cycling on pavements presumably because they are. Which is odd because statistically there is no evidence that cars pose any significant danger to cyclists.

Unlike other posters here, I think we need Dutch style or Danish style segregated cycling infrastructure. Of course, the "diehard cycle commuters" (among whom I unabashedly number myself) will ride on whatever, but too many people perceive cycling as dangerous. To encourage these people to cycle to work we need infrastructure that looks and makes people feel safe.

So you think we need build a separate cycling infrastructure because of fears people have that you yourself acknowledge are unfounded?

lukester

I don't know that we need a separate cycling infrastructure, but it would be nice to figure out a way to bring cycling here to the level of say Amsterdam. There is a lot of fear amongst non-cyclists, I work with plenty of people who are terrified of cycling in Dublin traffic.

Húrin

My Name is Mario wrote: »

So you think we need build a separate cycling infrastructure because of fears people have that you yourself acknowledge are unfounded?

Yes. The fact that the fears are irrational does not make them disappear.

Bunnyhopper

Taltos wrote: »

4) being overtaken by agressive/frustrated drivers on Knockmaroon hill

I had someone pull their car out from behind me, across the continuous white line there, entirely onto the wrong side of the road, just as you head into the blind left hand bend under the footbridge while I was on the way down the hill.

Yeah - down.

So I was about to clear the corner and hit about 45-50kph, which is what I did as he braked for the speedbump and I coasted up along side him

Still - muppet driving of the highest order.

I agree with much of what's been said already about the poor state of the roads and cycle lanes, the nonsensical legislation, the poor driving etc. One thing that's particularly an issue is, I think, the danger of theft and vandalism. I have no confidence that my bike will be safe if I leave it locked around the city for any length of time. Moreover, I don't think that the Gardaí (have the resources to) give a damn.

ROK ON

I cycle to work daily and have done for a long while. I cycle because I like being on a bike and because it is the quickest and most efficient way of commuting the 10k to work.
My present place has showers which makes a huge difference over my previous place of employment.

In an ideal world there would be shower/changing facilities in every workplace (but that is not possible in reality). However it should be possible for folk working in large factories/office developments around the Dublin area, so they should be installed.

Ban bike lanes and widen the road instead.

There is lots of underutilised and useless footpath that could be riped up for wider roads - Dublin is an old city with a suitably old cityscape - it simply is not meant for the amount of vehicle traffic that current pass thru its narrow streets IMO.

Maintain the roads.

Enforce the road traffic acts - there is plenty of current legislation about what is and is not acceptable/legal in a motor vehicle and on a bike. If it was strictly enforced we would have better road behaviour by cyclists and drivers.


I also think that every school kid (maybe transition year pupils) should be thought bike handling and driving as part of the transition programme.

paulmcd1973

Cycle daily, 11km to work. Good showers and cycle racks at work. Bring my two-year old home on the back of the bike, he loves it. 99.99% of other road users are fine, and give me loads of room especially when junior is on board. Had an incident today with an idiot trying to run me off the road in Sandyford Ind. Estate, but that's the first one I can think of in years. (98 TN, blue fiesta or Mazda 121, I was too busy avoiding the oncoming traffic he'd pushed me into to get more details). The few cycle lanes on my commute are in bits and I generally avoid them. Too many parked cars, pedestrians, broken glass from bus shelters and badly integrated cyclepath designs have pushed me onto the road where I feel a lot safer. I hold my line when I cycle and I'm not concerned about the traffic behind. I'd imagine for people who are new to cycling, the thoughts of a bus or truck up their a$$ are probably what puts them off. As I say, 99.99% of all other road users are fine, they occasionally make the odd mistake, but you learn to watch out for that. (I always cycle a door's width away from parked cars even if that puts me in the middle of the road, I've had too many near misses).

fenris

I live in Bray and cycle to Fitzwilliam Square twice a week 23km each way

Like - cycle lanes when they are properly maintained (loughlinstown to foxrock) and are not part of peoples driveways.
Roads that are wide enough to cycle on without impeding traffic, drivers that see me and give me space.
Getting to and from work in tuesday traffic in the same time or less than driving.
Being able to plan how long my commute will take.
Getting fitter

Dislike - being forced to use cycle lanes where you lose priority at every junction that. bastard dublin bus driver that tried to teach me a lesson by running me off the road and giving me a close encounter with his wheel nuts near fosters avenue where the cycle lane is to uneven to use.
Donnybrook northbound - road surface is destroyed in the cycle lane but the cycle lane is still in effect.

blorg

@fenris- report the Dublin Bus drivers. It is a minority but I and others have had this on occasion. Only a matter of time before someone is killed. Actually stopped me using that road entirely.

BostonB

Most of the cycle lanes I'm on are in decent nick, I like them when they have a decent surface. Some are impossible to cycle on because they've been designed and constructed so poorly.

Worst problem is the woeful state of the roads, especially the edges, sunken potholes and badly filled potholes. Dangerous parking that forces you into traffic.

Poor facilities at work, and lack of storage for work clothes, cycling gear.

Very consistent commuting times. Nothing other than wind changes your travel time, and then only by 10~15 mins over a 40 min journey in the car it can vary as much as an hour.

Great being out in the air, seeing nature, the weather, the world around you, and being unstressed.

Great getting exercise into time that usually wasted commuting.

It makes you happier.

NeilMcEoigheann

'Sup! cycle 22.4km round trip monday-friday commuting to college from knocklyon to mountjoy square.
i purpously avoid the killing zone sorry "cycle way" due to its state of disrepair and "dangerousness"
bus drivers are crazy.

ROK ON

Hi, just want to know what peoples opinions of trucks (artics) in city centre is.
I am encountering a lot more articulated lorries on the quays in past 2 weeks. I thought that they were banned under the ban on 8 axel vehicles. Is anyone else cycling in Dublin noticing a creeping increase in the amount of trucks back in the city centre.

Lumen

ROK ON wrote: »

Hi, just want to know what peoples opinions of trucks (artics) in city centre is.
I am encountering a lot more articulated lorries on the quays in past 2 weeks. I thought that they were banned under the ban on 8 axel vehicles. Is anyone else cycling in Dublin noticing a creeping increase in the amount of trucks back in the city centre.

Port Tunnel has been closed.

SerialComplaint

There was a similar thread a few weeks back from a Green councillor looking for ideas, so check this out.

Updating building regs to make showers/lockers/drying area mandatory for new office/shop/factory buildings would be my priority.

Saruman

I have cycled in Dublin traffic plenty of times and it does not bother me at all.

I think cycle lanes should be given up on because cyclists do not use them, their argument is usually that they will have to give way at certain points were as on the road they have right of way so to them they care little for their own safety and more for getting from A to B as quickly as they can which is the same as driver attitudes

The only thing useful thing cycle lanes provide (off road ones) is somewhere for kids to cycle.

BostonB

Can't agree about the cycle lanes. On the canal the existance of a cycle lane keeps a space clear in the bumper to bumper traffic. I don't thing they should be mandatory though. But they are useful. Very hard for a motorist If there's bikes both sides of the car and cutting across in front of you which seems to happen where there's no cycle lanes and heavy traffic.

fenris

blorg wrote: »

@fenris- report the Dublin Bus drivers. It is a minority but I and others have had this on occasion. Only a matter of time before someone is killed. Actually stopped me using that road entirely.

I reported it to Dublin bus, but it was an out of service bus with a high up recessed hard to read number plate and I was too busy falling to get a proper look at the number, otherwise I would have reported to the garda station not the bus depot (went to see if I could spot the bus as it would have had the marks of my shoulder in the dirt by the back wheel - no luck)
The bugger was beeping while he came from behind and pulled in on top of me so I am certain he saw me and it was deliberate. As I was only a foot from the kerb I didn;t have the angle to hop up so I just went into a semi controlled splat.

DublinCycling

Thank you to everyone for your responses. So far I'm seeing a trend that there needs to be more awareness of cyclists, and respect, more than anything else. The cycle lanes: either have them or don't have them, the danger increases when there is a lack of consistency. More facilities (showers, lockers, etc.) in the work place would encourage others to cycle. Knowing that their bike is secure would also be an encouraging factor.

Overall, cycling is a very feasible way to commute, helps with stress, and if other motorists would be more respectful, it would be an even more pleasant way to commute into and around Dublin.

blorg

fenris wrote: »

(went to see if I could spot the bus as it would have had the marks of my shoulder in the dirt by the back wheel - no luck)
The bugger was beeping while he came from behind and pulled in on top of me so I am certain he saw me and it was deliberate. As I was only a foot from the kerb I didn;t have the angle to hop up so I just went into a semi controlled splat.

OK, so he actually physically hit you, you fell off and he didn't stop. That is called a HIT AND RUN and is a serious crime if he did it by accident never mind doing it deliberately. Christ almighty, report it to the fecking gardai already. Driver should be seeing jail time for this. If he actually hit you they will take it very seriously. Make sure to document your injuries however minor (bruises are injuries.)

fenris

I didnt get his number, so I went to the bus depot in donnybrook to see if I could find the bus as it was out of service, but there were none of that type there (long hard to read numberplate recessed up high on left).

The inspector that I got to talk to after getting past some woman who quite agressively tried to get rid of me was quite helpful but couldn't identify the bus driver and seemed to be taking things seriously.

In retrospect I should have just gone straight to the Garda station but I thought that the bus would be stopping in the bus depot and cycled around looking for it. Then I started to realise that I was late for work and honestly just wanted to get out of there.

I have to say that I just kept finding reasons not to cycle that particular stretch of the N11 for a couple of weeks before I realised what was happening and just copped myself on!

If there is a next time I will just go direct to the Garda station and if I manage to get the drivers name I will contact the various insurance companies (may not do much but I reckon that it is the most likely way to get a real personalised result)

gzoladz

Perhaps more of the above. Poor and bumpy road conditions.
Also the design of the cyclelanes is poor as many times they give motorists no option other than not to offend them.

Also, there is quite a lot to cater the bicycle-lycra culture but not as much for people that just cycle to work wearing their business casual clothes, although I have seen more and more of this in the last couple of years.

Raam

gzoladz wrote: »

Also, there is quite a lot to cater the bicycle-lycra culture but not as much for people that just cycle to work wearing their business casual clothes, although I have seen more and more of this in the last couple of years.

Not sure what ya mean?

D!armu!d

DublinCycling wrote: »

Knowing that their bike is secure would also be an encouraging factor.

This would be a major one. Am thinking of getting a new bike under the cycle to work scheme, but the newer & better quality the bike the more tempting it is for the thiefs.
Would be great if there was a website where all bike owners could log their bikes serial number and a brief description that buyers of 2nd hand bikes could check before making any purchase to make sure it's not a stolen bike.

Traumadoc

Guy today tried to" teach me a lesson" for not riding in a cycle lane I think. The one in Kilmacud thats closed in the middle for road works .
Any way further down Clonskeagh road this silver 02 Golf comes up behind be and beeps on the horn and starts closing in on me. Then he pulls up and opens the window and starts shouting abuse.

I tell him I have his reg and am going to the guards and he drives on .

My brother was cycling behind also witnessed it.

I dont know if I should go to the guards or not.

Gavin

Go for it, even to see if the Guards take it seriously

DublinCycling

Traumadoc wrote: »

Guy today tried to" teach me a lesson" for not riding in a cycle lane I think. The one in Kilmacud thats closed in the middle for road works .
Any way further down Clonskeagh road this silver 02 Golf comes up behind be and beeps on the horn and starts closing in on me. Then he pulls up and opens the window and starts shouting abuse.

I tell him I have his reg and am going to the guards and he drives on .

My brother was cycling behind also witnessed it.

I dont know if I should go to the guards or not.

It's incidents like this one that make me think that there should be a community website to post cycling incidents, including thefts, taxis and cars parked in the cycle lanes, etc. Would you be in favor of this?

I think this should be reported to the gardai. The worst that happens is that they do nothing about it, but it's in their hands once you report it and they can decide. They should do something about it because cyclists have as much right to be on the road as cars and it's harassment whether you're on a bike or not.

D!armu!d

I think every incident is worth reporting, as they might be a repeat offender and another complaint against them in a months time would lead to it being taken more seriously.

Boss oh boss

Just last week between Kiliney and Shankill a Dublin bus passed me out on a narrow twisting stretch with a continuous white line, as the bus overtook me and took the bend he edged me closer to the footpath and the length of the bus came closer and closer with the side of the bus almost brushing off my right shoulder. After the bend he stopped at the first bus stop and I went up alongside the driver asking what was he playing at, he just gave me the finger.


Its that type of incidents that ruin cycling for me. If I hear a bus coming behind me I'll always remember that and try not to be caught in a tight situation like that, the next time I might go up on the footpath if i think the road ahead is narrow and that could happen. There's no point fighting with motorists and having an attitude that we can win, they'll never see our point, until they start cycling.


I commute to work and conduct everything off the bike and have done so for 13 years now.

I'm for cycle lanes. Cycle lanes in, lets say the Netherlands, are maintained and don't inconvenience cyclists like the ones here.

The cycle lanes here and in the UK are often on the road and full of glass whereas in the Netherlands they are mostly separate. In an old city like Amsterdam there are alot of lanes that are on roads with cars, but they are improving the cycle lanes to be separate; between centraal station and the Dam square they actually rebuilt the footpath/cycle lane to be completely separate. Despite all the partying that goes on there, which is practically going through the red light district, the lanes are clean enough and have less glass that the stillorgan dual carriageway cycle lane (a great cycle lane for Dublin). But of course there is a completely different attitude at the top of society for cycling there while the attitude here is that cycling is not important or useful.


An interesting point (for me) regarding the Netherlands is that I heard that the cycle lanes were constructed in the 1980s - therefore at some time they embraced the idea and they had the machinery/ability to build, build and build resulting in practically a cycle lane on every road in the country.


The cycle lanes here need to be built and improved but the one through the Blackrock park is very nice!


It would be great if there was more awareness and if motorists didn't see us as scum thats in the way. They are always close to boiling point to start intimidating a cyclist with being on our tail etc. More facilities in the work place would be great like a secure place to lock an expensive bike.


It is a great way to commute and maintain a healthy lifestyle. a cyclist just has to be very careful with big vehicles and then not losing our tempers at motorists - just try to let the hot heads go without getting caught up in it, (thats what Im trying to do myself anyway)

SerialComplaint

Traumadoc wrote: »

Guy today tried to" teach me a lesson" for not riding in a cycle lane I think. The one in Kilmacud thats closed in the middle for road works .
Any way further down Clonskeagh road this silver 02 Golf comes up behind be and beeps on the horn and starts closing in on me. Then he pulls up and opens the window and starts shouting abuse.

I tell him I have his reg and am going to the guards and he drives on .

My brother was cycling behind also witnessed it.

I dont know if I should go to the guards or not.

Report him. I've found the Garda TrafficWatch line to be more effective for follow-up than the local station.

If (as happened with me) he was driving Mummy's car for a Sunday drive, he's going to get a nasty shock when the Guard calls to Mummy to ask her about who was driving.

Húrin

I feel pretty lucky... my brush with arshole motorists is a very rare event indeed. I have a theory that motorists react worse to cyclists who look 'other'. I mean, those who ride around wearing lycra, high-vis everything, helmets, etc. I don't wear any of that, just wear normal clothes. Obviously I wear a high-vis vest at night, with lights on the bike, but I think a lot of the people you see on bikes around Dublin just like weird.

Húrin

DublinCycling wrote: »

Overall, cycling is a very feasible way to commute, helps with stress, and if other motorists would be more respectful, it would be an even more pleasant way to commute into and around Dublin.

I find motorists respectful. I find it amazing the difference in perceptions of cycling between those who do it (quick, cheap, refreshing) and those who don't (suicidal, dangerous, scary, slow).

Muller_1

In my opinion there is a massive difference between the quality of cycle lanes, the ones that are raised or made on existing footpaths are for the most part unusable for many reasons
1. People walking on cycle lanes
2. High curbs, so have to dismount to get onto the lane
3. Not kept clean as road sweeping vehicles can't get to them
4. Cars parked
5. Uneven surface due at entrances to houses
6. Lanes ending abruptly without access to get back onto the road.
I could go on and on...

However I find the cycle lanes that are painted on the roads to be very useable.

BostonB

I think theres a unusable missing at the start of that.

On pavement ones are handy for kids. One on the road are much better for commuting.

DublinCycling

As this forum seemed to be very informative, I set up a place on twitter.com, for anything and everything about dublin cycling. It congregates all these responses by using this hash tag: #cycledublin (how twitter collects similar messages) and places them here: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=cycledublin . So, if you are on twitter.com and would like to add any insights from a day-to-day basis about cycling in Dublin, just add #cycledublin to your message.

If you're not on Twitter: What other media would you use to voice your concerns?