Cycling in Ireland--the view from America

Bristolscale7

I've lived in Ireland for four years now. The recent post about the Dutch view on cycling in the U.S. made me think about my own experience as a cyclist in the U.S. and Ireland. I'm going to compare and contrast Ireland and the U.S. in five categories. As a means of promoting dialogue and debate (i.e., internet flame wars) I'll assign a winner to each category.
1. Roads
This is the easiest category to assess and we can dispose of it quickly. The roads in Ireland are ****ed. Loose chippings, potholes, and the lack of hard shoulders take their toll.
Winner: 'MERICA
2. Culture: cyclists
The culture of cycling in Ireland is fantastic. There are many different clubs and within clubs all different levels of cycling are promoted. Die-hard racer? This is the place for you. Family cycling? Touring? Mountain/Road? There's a club for you. Beyond cycling, in fact, I'm struck by the vibrancy of civil society and associational life in Ireland. Yes there are clubs in the U.S. but they are not as widespread and they also operate on a shallower level.
Winner: Ireland
3. Culture: public
Over the course of two decades of cycling in the U.S. I've been spit on multiple times (a few times by chewing tobacco), had cigarettes ashed in my face at stop lights, been hit by the odd plastic bottles at least six times, and had what could be termed three "serious" run-ins with motorists. In general cyclists in the U.S. are regarded as pests and cycling for practical purposes is seen as a mark of eccentricity. I was shocked on my first group cycle in Ireland to learn that two abreast is standard. In the U.S. any group cycle doing this would end up being fired upon by gun-bearing truck owners citing a stand-your-ground statute. Sure, there's road rage in Ireland but the outright hostility found in the U.S. is absent.
Winner: Ireland
4. Aesthetics
Ireland is small but the terrain is diverse. I do miss the vast spaces of the U.S. and the isolation--the ability to do an out-and-back century on one piece of road and only see six cars. Proper mountain climbs are also in short supply. In the U.S. the aesthetic depends on where you live. Florida is, for example, a flat, hot and sticky **** hole full of elderly drivers.
Winner: tie
5. Weather
In Ireland you can cycle all year round. In many parts of the U.S. cycling is seasonal and you need to do something else to keep fit over the winter. It's not so much the weather as the lack of daylight that keeps Irish cyclists off the roads in the winter. Yet you might also end up living in a place in the U.S. where it is so hot during the summer that you have to cycle between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or risk heat-stroke.
Winner: California

Overall, Ireland wins. Compared to the U.S. it is much more cycle friendly.

slap/dash

i sorta agree on this, but i do think that the cars vs us thing is better there. at least in boston and nyc where ive ridden a lot. mainly because of bigger roads and the fact that in my experience, all road users obey the rules more there; something that i think extends to most aspects of life related to rules/manners etc.

Wishbone Ash

Bristolscale7 wrote: »

3. Culture: public
Over the course of two decades of cycling in the U.S. I've been spit on multiple times (a few times by chewing tobacco), had cigarettes ashed in my face at stop lights, been hit by the odd plastic bottles at least six times, and had what could be termed three "serious" run-ins with motorists. In general cyclists in the U.S. are regarded as pests and cycling for practical purposes is seen as a mark of eccentricity. I was shocked on my first group cycle in Ireland to learn that two abreast is standard. In the U.S. any group cycle doing this would end up being fired upon by gun-bearing truck owners citing a stand-your-ground statute. Sure, there's road rage in Ireland but the outright hostility found in the U.S. is absent.
Winner: Ireland

+1

I spent 2 weeks cycling in Florida last July and I was shocked by the animosity of many drivers towards me.

ford2600

Where in States are you comparing to, the US is nothing if not regional.
Oregon/Washington will differ to Texas I guessing.

Cycled in Maryland, NY and Alaska. Found it fine, but a few moons ago now

Ole Rodrigo

I'm not so sure about the culture of cycling in Ireland. Not at a club level, but those on bikes around the city center and surrounds that don't know how to ride safely and with respect to others. Just this afternoon I had four cyclists in the Clontarf cycle lane almost plow into me just because a bit of wind and rain meant they couldn't keep to the left. This type of thing happens quite a lot and you might see from other threads. Still, I'd rather that than get shot !

I would have thought there were parts of the US where cycling culture is rich - San Fran, Portland, NYC, Colorado etc.

It's encouraging to see, from an outside perspective, that there are some positive aspects of cycling in Ireland. I agree the scenery is great. I've gotten used to the roads. When you do get the opportunity to ride on smooth tarmac it's all the more enjoyable.

RobFowl

Bristolscale7 wrote: »

1. Roads
This is the easiest category to assess and we can dispose of it quickly. The roads in Ireland are ****ed. Loose chippings, potholes, and the lack of hard shoulders take their toll.
Winner: 'MERICA

I find you in breach of rule #5

Bristolscale7

RobFowl wrote: »

I find you in breach of rule #5

Tell that to the two rims I've split in the past four years!

Iwannahurl

Ireland wins because Murka is so much worse.

By way of illustration, I read somewhere that Delaware recently received the accolade of being the fifth most cycle-friendly state in the US. IIRC their modal share for cycling is 1% or less, and in 2012 a third of their road fatalities were cyclists and pedestrians.

That said, I believe there are some great cycling cities in the US, such as Boulder CO.

EDIT: one minor quibble. Why would anyone need a club for family cycling?

Morgan

Iwannahurl wrote: »

EDIT: one minor quibble. Why would anyone need a club for family cycling?

Not everyone wanting to go on a family cycle has a spouse and kids - handy to be able to borrow some.

ednwireland

Bristolscale7 wrote: »

1. Roads
This is the easiest category to assess and we can dispose of it quickly. The roads in Ireland are ****ed. Loose chippings, potholes, and the lack of hard shoulders take their toll.
Winner: 'MERICA

really my OH was driven from st louis to chicago and sasd a lot of the roads were a struggle in the car (pot holed, concrete with gaps etc) dont know where you are OP mind.