Newbie Question - Cycle Lanes

Jemm

Hi there,

I'm a cycling newbie and want to try and cycle as safe as possible in the city centre.

I understand I should remain in the cycle lane where available and stop at red lights and not be a nuisance to other road users.

There is one part of my journey that I'm not sure where in the road to be situated and I'm wondering if anyone can help?

-from Dame St, D'Olier St and then through O'Connell St
My understanding is I should be in the second lane from the left from the traffic lights at TCD/Central Bank corner as I intend to travel to O'Connell St. Is this correct?

-from O'Connell St, D'Olier St and then back up Dame St
Also I assume the second lane to the left

Final question, should I remain at the leftmost part at all times on all lanes? (I understand I shouldn't undercut a bus/truck on a corner)

Thanks

droidus

Jemm wrote: »

-from Dame St, D'Olier St and then through O'Connell St
My understanding is I should be in the second lane from the left from the traffic lights at TCD/Central Bank corner as I intend to travel to O'Connell St. Is this correct?

I assume you mean westmoreland st here?

Its a bit of a free for all. At the college green lights its best to be in the 2nd lane from left. I usually go down westmoreland st in the third lane from left. The cycle lanes on O'connell st are often full of buses, so Id normally cycle in the middle of the left lane, moving into the right lane when necessary.

-from O'Connell St, D'Olier St and then back up Dame St
Also I assume the second lane to the left

This is just as tricky. Middle of the left lane on O'Connell bridge. 2nd lane from left on Dolier st., right hand lane at the lights at college green/TCD, left hand lane on Dame st.

Final question, should I remain at the leftmost part at all times on all lanes? (I understand I shouldn't undercut a bus/truck on a corner)

No. If approaching a junction where you think you might be overtaken and cut off, if on a narrow road where there is no room to overtake, or where the left hand side of the lane is full of parked cars or obstacles, cycle in the middle of the lane.

seamus

Jemm wrote: »

I understand I should remain in the cycle lane where available

Only remain in a cycle lane where it is safe to do so. If it would be unsafe to use the cycle lane because of a poor road surface, flooding, etc etc, then use the road.

-from Dame St, D'Olier St and then through O'Connell St
My understanding is I should be in the second lane from the left from the traffic lights at TCD/Central Bank corner as I intend to travel to O'Connell St. Is this correct?

This is quite a daunting one for a new cyclist. As you come down Dame Street, the left-hand lane is fine. As you get onto college green and start swinging left towards Westmoreland st, try to get into the centre of the left-hand lane. You don't want to be pinned against the left-hand side of the lane while traffic is coming up behind you.
So you'll pass Starbucks on your left, and just as you're passing the left-turn for the wax museum (Fosters Pl), try to get into the centre of the lane and take control of the lane.
Maintain this position all the way around onto Westmoreland Street.

There are 4 lanes on westmoreland st. The left-hand lane is for parked taxis & busses and sometimes for traffic who want to turn left. Stay out of it completely. Ride in the second lane and maintain this position all the way up to O'Connell bridge.

At the bridge there are 3 lanes, and you should now be in the middle one. Follow it through and you will then be in the left-hand lane on the bridge itself and onto O'Connell Street.

As droidus says, ride in the middle of the left-hand lane on O'Connell street otherwise you'll be constantly cut off by left-turning traffic.

-from O'Connell St, D'Olier St and then back up Dame St
Also I assume the second lane to the left

Actually a little bit tougher this one, but you're basically right. The leftmost lane will generally consist of busses and taxis pulling in on D'Olier street. You need to have a bit of balls coming around onto college street, because you want to be in the second lane from the left (i.e. the right-hand lane at the TCD lights). Traffic moves relatively slowly here though, so just keep your wits about you. If all else fails you can go straight on through Dame Street using the left lane, but it's much easier to guard your road position from the right-hand lane.

Final question, should I remain at the leftmost part at all times on all lanes? (I understand I shouldn't undercut a bus/truck on a corner)

You should only use a cycle lane where it would be safe for a following vehicle to overtake you. Where there isn't enough room for both you and another vehicle such as at junctions, corners, obstructions on the left and pinch-points, move into the centre of the lane (look behind you, look for safe gap, indicate, look, then move into it*) and stay there until there is sufficent room again for cars to pass you.

* Sometimes there may not be a gap, in that case you can indicate and someone will usually slow down to let you out

Jemm

Thanks for the tips guys! Much appreciated!

galwaycyclist

Jemm wrote: »

Thanks for the tips guys! Much appreciated!

The Galway Cycling Campaign do a leaflet on traffic skills for adult cyclists. It deals with various situations (unfolds to A3 poster). If you PM some form of postal address I'll stick one in the post for you.

Wishbone Ash

Jemm - just be aware that when travelling from Dame Street to Westmoreland Street, there is a very large pothole on College Green (near Foster Place). It can be difficult to see when travelling close behind other vehicles in congested traffic.

When cycling along Westmoreland Street, stay in the 3rd lane from the left and stay in the centre of that lane. If you stay near the edge you may get squeezed between two buses.