N4 / M50 Interchange

Tom Cruises Left Nut

Hi Guys

Trying to build up to the 43k cycle from Sallins into work in town.

I am looking to go the back road to straffan then the hazelhatch road to celbridge. When I get to Lucan though the only option I can see is to go over this interchange.

Anyone cycle this at all ? Is it safe ?

Thanks !

Idleater

You can cycle it all right, it's actually easier going in in the morning than out in the evening. If you don't want to do it immediately, the pedestrian /cycling bridge will drop you in plenty of safety on the old road where you rejoin at the main palmerstown lights.

Heroditas

Isn't there a cycling/pedestrian bridge that crosses the M50 just north of the N4/M50 junction and then goes into Palmerston?

cython

If you go via Lucan you could also go down through the town and cycle in along the Strawberry Beds, and in via Chapelizod.

I haven't negotiated that junction myself on a bike, but I know people who would have done it reasonably regularly for a while. I gather there is also a cycle path that runs alongside the footbridge that might be the quietest option.

If you've any doubts though, I would still suggest the Strawberry Beds, unless having to come in as far as Islandbridge, or head back south through Chapelizod is an issue for you? It all depends on whereabouts in Dublin you need to get to really as to how out of the way it is.

Tom Cruises Left Nut

Thanks all

I am in Eastpoint so really once I can get to the Chapelizod road I am sorted

Really appreciate the replies !

Alek

Strawberry Beds is one of the nicest places around Dublin. Pity the road is narrow, I didn't feel too comfortable hauling a kid trailer...

Tom Cruises Left Nut

alkos wrote: »

Strawberry Beds is one of the nicest places around Dublin. Pity the road is narrow, I didn't feel too comfortable hauling a kid trailer...

Ha, I am just thinking of the hills :eek:

Idleater

t|nt|n wrote: »

Ha, I am just thinking of the hills :eek:

If you go up the hill to laraghcon in Lucan, that's probably the shortest and easiest one. Once up, you can happily go along the upper road with the side benefit of missing the crappy speedbumps on the lower road.

Alek

Hills? Lower Road has about 80m ascent over 7km...

Tom Cruises Left Nut

Was thinking about tinkers hill ! Wouldn't be going that way anyway !!

rp

I do this junction daily, not really a problem, as the traffic is usually slow/stopped. Some pointers tho:

• After Deadmans, move to the right hand-side of the bike & bus lane, pour discourager les autos that will try take the M50 exit 'early', cutting you up (including busses that squeeze past only to pull in again at the bus stop).
• Look for a gap in the traffic and move into the straight-ahead lane at any point if you get a chance - leaving it until the off ramp starts puts you in contention with vehicles turning off.

Coming back out of town, I find it best to get out of the B&B lane before the Palmerstown lights, and not use it after the light, as it ends plus you are again likely to get cut-up by the M50 exit traffic (unless you are planning a little training spin on the M50 ). Don't take any notice of the apparent 'Busses only' sign at the underpass, it has not legal meaning.

com1

Would you not be better off going straight over to Newcastle then down (up?) to the Nangor Road, through Inchicore and Kilmanham and onto the Quays

unichall

I go from Naas (Sallins side) to Dublin each day and use the N7, there are quite a few cyclists using this route. When you get to the M50 junction you can cycle down the access road parallel to the N7 to avoid the M50 sliproads and come back onto the N7 at the top. There is a good wide hard shoulder the whole way and it is all downhill from Blackchurch.

Tom Cruises Left Nut

unichall wrote: »

I go from Naas (Sallins side) to Dublin each day and use the N7, there are quite a few cyclists using this route. When you get to the M50 junction you can cycle down the access road parallel to the N7 to avoid the M50 sliproads and come back onto the N7 at the top. There is a good wide hard shoulder the whole way and it is all downhill from Blackchurch.

Ah excellent, that makes sense ! So you go up by the ibis and then hang a right at that junction ?

That would be a much easier way to go alright, a straight run !

Tom Cruises Left Nut

Oh actually, how about the way back out !

Brian?

If you drop down off the N4 at the liffey Valley exit isn't there a cycle path/bridge that starts down by the Hermatige? Is it useless?

Tom Cruises Left Nut

Brian? wrote: »

If you drop down off the N4 at the liffey Valley exit isn't there a cycle path/bridge that starts down by the Hermatige? Is it useless?

Ah yeah, the road down to kings hospital there ?

Just google mapped it, there sure is !

unichall

t|nt|n wrote: »

Oh actually, how about the way back out !

Way back is fine, the slip roads aren't as complicated. If you are travelling during peak hours the traffic is always at a crawl over the M50 so you are actually moving faster than traffic. Either way I think it is safer and easier than negotiating the N4