Useful Cycle Lanes

check_six

There is not a lot of love for cycle lanes around these parts. I live in Dublin and a lot of the lanes are pretty shoddy. However, I was wondering if there any lanes that make our lives easier.

I have thought of one, the contraflow lane that runs up St. Andrew's St outside the Tourist Office. It's the one lane I would use by choice.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=53.343869,-6.260875&spn=0.000002,0.000933&t=h&z=20&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=53.343869,-6.260875&panoid=Gcqp4If2LiWh5SvZB82ucg&cbp=12,226.79,,0,0


Are there any other useful lanes out there?

daragh_

Most mornings that bike lane is a parking space for a motley collection of bus tours and An Post delivery vans.

07Lapierre

No.

smacl

It's not so much that the cycle lanes are bad, it's just that they don't join up. For example, the cycle lane going from Sandyford/M50 to Marlay park is well constructed, but as a two way cycle way is unusable for parts. If you look at the google map link, you'll notice that it starts on the southbound section of a one way road, yet the cycle lane starts and ends abruptly going both ways. Going Marlay park -> Sandyford it is ok though you have to hop your bike off a high kerb to join a busy roundabout in order to use it in its entirety. Not sure how the hell your supposed to use it from the start going the other way, short of having your bike air lifted in. Bicycle lanes around Dublin are a bit like a collection of unmarked cul-de-sacs, they regularly end abruptly leaving you in an awkward position.

Sorry, you were looking for positive comment. The above cycle lane is grand apart from that, it just needs to be finished and connected properly to the rest of the road system.

mccarte2

smacl wrote: »

It's not so much that the cycle lanes are bad, it's just that they don't join up. For example, the cycle lane going from Sandyford/M50 to Marlay park is well constructed, but as a two way cycle way is unusable for parts. If you look at the google map link, you'll notice that it starts on the southbound section of a one way road, yet the cycle lane starts and ends abruptly going both ways. Going Marlay park -> Sandyford it is ok though you have to hop your bike off a high kerb to join a busy roundabout in order to use it in its entirety. Not sure how the hell your supposed to use it from the start going the other way, short of having your bike air lifted in. Bicycle lanes around Dublin are a bit like a collection of unmarked cul-de-sacs, they regularly end abruptly leaving you in an awkward position.

Sorry, you were looking for positive comment. The above cycle lane is grand apart from that, it just needs to be finished and connected properly to the rest of the road system.

That one cuts in through Moreen estate now which brings you out at the Beacon Hotel crossroads. You don't go near the roundabout.

manwithaplan

The one through Fairview Park is useful, representing a bit of a short cut. The one on the path around the park is its evil twin.

DePurpereWolf

There are the cycle lanes that don't make a difference. It's a white line on the side of the roads. It doesn't prevent cars from parking there, it doesn't prevent cars vearing over into the area. So, I use them, but they just don't have that much added value.

Maybe the question could be: cycle lanes I like.

Then, no, I do not know any cycle lanes I like around here.
I might give it a think though.

I do like buslanes, shared with cyclists those are great.

check_six

DePurpereWolf wrote: »

Maybe the question could be: cycle lanes I like.

Then, no, I do not know any cycle lanes I like around here.
I might give it a think though.

I do like buslanes, shared with cyclists those are great.

I originally thought about calling the thread Favourite Cycle Lanes, but that's like picking your favourite itchy jumper, you dislike all of them, but you dislike one a little less.

The Buslane ones are good.

carthoris

DePurpereWolf wrote: »

I do like buslanes, shared with cyclists those are great.

Particularly the 24-hour bus lanes and other bus lanes not heavily used by buses. I have changed my route to work to use about 14Km of bus lanes on which I have rarely seen a bus. Joy!

tomasrojo

In Dublin:
Dodder Park cycle lane is ok; more pleasant than the road anyway.
The contraflow on North Brunswick Street from George's Lane to Stoneybatter is handy

The usual thing: a facility that allows you to go a more direct way or a more pleasant way is a good facility. The ones that shadow an existing road and block your way with yield triangles are not good facilities.

BostonB

I like the one on the Grand Canal. Tends IMO to stop cars making two lanes wheres really only room for one and blocking cyclists. Ditto some sections on the north quays. The ones in the park have a better surface than the road.

nomdeboardie

Passing through the one-way Newtown Avenue in Blackrock last week I came across a scene of devastation which I'm guessing represents the installation of the proposed contra-flow cycle lane :eek: Unless they manage to really screw it up :rolleyes: this should be some sort of improvement over walking a bike in the opposite direction (although I don't go that way very often).
(Otherwise the usual disclaimers apply re the venom of my hatred for the bad stuff and mandatory usage etc...:P)

smacl wrote: »

Going Marlay park -> Sandyford it is ok though you have to hop your bike off a high kerb to join a busy roundabout in order to use it in its entirety.

Don't even know about that - I was recently planning a loop through the hills passing Marley->Leopardstown on the way back and Google StreetView reconasissance convinced me to go via the horror that is Blackgern-Hillcrest-etc instead

loyatemu

south quays there's a contra-flow lane thats also fairly handy (though it frequently contains cyclists going the wrong way)

I don't agree that the on-road lanes are useless - yes some drivers veer into them, but in general the line on the road enforces more lane discipline than having no line, especially at junctions. IME if there's a cycle lane painted on the road it is usually easier to get to the top of the line of traffic than if there is no lane - its a minor benefit but a benefit nonetheless.

rp

check_six wrote: »

I have thought of one, the contraflow lane that runs up St. Andrew's St outside the Tourist Office. It's the one lane I would use by choice.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=53.343869,-6.260875&spn=0.000002,0.000933&t=h&z=20&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=53.343869,-6.260875&panoid=Gcqp4If2LiWh5SvZB82ucg&cbp=12,226.79,,0,0

monument

There's loads of useful cycle lanes.

There are many poor ones where you'd be better with nothing, but others are better than nothing.

I find contra-flow lanes the most useful for allowing a more direct route, other short-cut type of cycle lanes are as good, but I don't use any regularly.

Some normal on-road lanes which -- even if not perfect -- help stop cars blocking my path are good.

Decent sized cycle lanes on the inside of bus lanes can be really good because the bus lane has an extra buffer effect in helping stopping motorist block the lane and even when they do, the bus lane has loads of room for cyclists to pass.

Small bus lanes where buses / taxis can't safely pass within the lane on the other hand can be the worst type of lanes.

Off road can be the worst because you're in effect "locked in" and the design faults and blockages affect you a lot more and there less ways around thm.