Newbie experience in Dublin

swansea

Went for a spin earlier along Sandymount and then came back into the city centre by the RDS. Was going fine until I got to Sandymount but cars were getting a bit too close to me if I'm honest. Swung back in on the Merrion Road which I thought would be better since it has a cycle lane for most of it. Had two very close shaves, one that shook me up a bit as he was only about a foot from me, flying by. Is that road normally bad? Just do not fancy going back on that one if I'm honest.

Ninap

swansea wrote: »

Went for a spin earlier along Sandymount and then came back into the city centre by the RDS. Was going fine until I got to Sandymount but cars were getting a bit too close to me if I'm honest. Swung back in on the Merrion Road which I thought would be better since it has a cycle lane for most of it. Had two very close shaves, one that shook me up a bit as he was only about a foot from me, flying by. Is that road normally bad? Just do not fancy going back on that one if I'm honest.

Close passes by motorists are unfortunately very common. Some recommend riding a greater distance from the kerb, and thus forcing motorists to overtake properly rather than skim by, but this requires confidence too. Anyway, good luck with your cycling. It's lovely weather for it, and mostly it's a good experience.

swansea

Yeah I enjoyed it for the most part but I can't say I wasn't bothered by that. I did actually cycle out from the kerb a bit whenever there wasn't a cycle lane but when there was a cycle lane I remained in it, that's the correct thing to do, right? The very close call happened when I was in a cycle lane.

awec

At Sandymount the road is narrow and cars often park on the road which makes it even narrower. I cycle that a lot and you just have to get confident and not tempt cars into overtaking you dangerously.

Merrion Road is usually ok though.

valleyoftheunos

I subscribe to the school of thought that says the further out from the kerb you are the safer you are. Its a rule of thumb that a driver will end up leaving you as much space between you and the car as you you leave between you and the kerb.

Guys flying past you at close quarters will happen from time to time but often the feel a bit closer than they actually are.

As regards the Cycle lanes I only use them when I feel the cycle lane is the safer option, they aren't always.

swansea

Quick update.

Some observations over the past couple of weeks.

95%+ cyclists wear helmets, surprised so many wear them
Could count on one hand the number of people who use hand signals
Nobody waits for the green cyclist light, always go before that
Have had no problems with cars since but I'm putting that down to confidence and using hand signals a lot
So many wearing headphones, wtf?
Finding some stretches of cycle lane terrible, the lane is so bad I would probably be better off cycling on the road. Bike is taking a battering.


Other than that it's been all good.

valleyoftheunos

swansea wrote: »

Quick update.

Some observations over the past couple of weeks.

95%+ cyclists wear helmets, surprised so many wear them
Could count on one hand the number of people who use hand signals
Nobody waits for the green cyclist light, always go before that
Have had no problems with cars since but I'm putting that down to confidence and using hand signals a lot
So many wearing headphones, wtf?
Finding some stretches of cycle lane terrible, the lane is so bad I would probably be better off cycling on the road. Bike is taking a battering.


Other than that it's been all good.

When that happens cycle in the road, you're entitled to and its safer. Nowhere does it say that Cyclists have to cycle in the gutter.

Fair play to you, sounds like you're making excellent progress.