City cycling

aaabbbb

I've been wanting to try out those city bikes for a long time but haven't ever really gotten around to it.

Anyway I've an appointment next week in Francis st so I'm thinking this might be perfect opportunity to give it a go.

Only thing is I DON'T CYCLE EVER !! Like not properly since I was a kid. So just wondering if anyone had any safety advice (I know the basic don't go up the left of a HGV, hand signals, stop for red lights) but is there any other things that would be good to know ?

Also what would the best route be to francis st from either pearse or tara st stations ?

bazermc

aaabbbb wrote: »

I've been wanting to try out those city bikes for a long time but haven't ever really gotten around to it.

Anyway I've an appointment next week in Francis st so I'm thinking this might be perfect opportunity to give it a go.

Only thing is I DON'T CYCLE EVER !! Like not properly since I was a kid. So just wondering if anyone had any safety advice (I know the basic don't go up the left of a HGV, hand signals, stop for red lights) but is there any other things that would be good to know ?

Also what would the best route be to francis st from either pearse or tara st stations ?

Well, if it is one of those Dublin bike you can do what ever the heck you want

THe Rules of the Road dont apply to Dublin bikes

On a serious note, if you havent cycled since you childhood (guessing that was 10-20 years ago) then I wouldnt recommend starting first time in Dublin Traffic, especailly if you are under pressure for an appointment

Alanstrainor

Leave yourself plenty of time, and take it handy. No harm in having a go on the bikes before you have to get to an appointment either!

petethedrummer

aaabbbb wrote: »

any other things that would be good to know ?

If you are not an annual subscriber you need to go to a station with a credit card slot and get a 3 day ticket. Not all stations have credit card slots.

HivemindXX

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Leave yourself plenty of time, and take it handy. No harm in having a go on the bikes before you have to get to an appointment either!

This. You might find it takes a while to get the hang of it.

Google maps recommends a very straightforward route (2.6km) and there's nothing wrong with that one. The traffic is pretty heavy but there's not really much you can do to avoid that given your start and end points. The one good thing is that you don't really have to make any right turns, the exception being turning on to Dame Street but that's more of a curve than a turn and you don't need to cross oncoming traffic.

Apart from backing up Alanstrainor advice to leave plenty of time the main thing is to get in the lane you want to be in nice and early, don't be afraid to give yourself lots of space (ie: don't cycle in the gutter) and be aware of your surroundings so you don't get startled by something (close pass, someone steps off the path without looking, whatever).

If you are not familiar with that part of the city then using the Google streetview to do a virtual trip down the whole route will help. You will be able to concentrate on cycling instead of trying to figure out if the turn you want is this one or the next one. Also figure out where the DB station(s) are near your destination.

galwaycyclist

HivemindXX wrote: »

If you are not familiar with that part of the city then using the Google streetview to do a virtual trip down the whole route will help. You will be able to concentrate on cycling instead of trying to figure out if the turn you want is this one or the next one. Also figure out where the DB station(s) are near your destination.

Dont forget that, like all of us, if you hit a location that seems a bit complex you can always get off and walk. Or even just stop and watch for a while to get a feel for whats happening.

petethedrummer

High 5 Gels should keep you going if you get the hunger knock.

aaabbbb

bazermc wrote: »

Well, if it is one of those Dublin bike you can do what ever the heck you want

THe Rules of the Road dont apply to Dublin bikes

On a serious note, if you havent cycled since you childhood (guessing that was 10-20 years ago) then I wouldnt recommend starting first time in Dublin Traffic, especailly if you are under pressure for an appointment

Ah here ! Its only been 6-7 years ago I'm not that old yet ! But that is a good point, train leaves me in an hour beforehand though and its not a big deal if I'm late so I shouldn't be too pressured (hopefully). I might walk for one or two junctions that I'm not too confident about also as another poster suggested.

HivemindXX wrote: »

This. You might find it takes a while to get the hang of it.

Google maps recommends a very straightforward route (2.6km) and there's nothing wrong with that one. The traffic is pretty heavy but there's not really much you can do to avoid that given your start and end points. The one good thing is that you don't really have to make any right turns, the exception being turning on to Dame Street but that's more of a curve than a turn and you don't need to cross oncoming traffic.

Apart from backing up Alanstrainor advice to leave plenty of time the main thing is to get in the lane you want to be in nice and early, don't be afraid to give yourself lots of space (ie: don't cycle in the gutter) and be aware of your surroundings so you don't get startled by something (close pass, someone steps off the path without looking, whatever).

If you are not familiar with that part of the city then using the Google streetview to do a virtual trip down the whole route will help. You will be able to concentrate on cycling instead of trying to figure out if the turn you want is this one or the next one. Also figure out where the DB station(s) are near your destination.

Station right outside destination (why I figured it'd be a perfect time to give it a try ) and train gets me in at 9 so I've over an hour to leisurely make my way over !

I've been looking at the google maps route and wondering is there anyway to reasonably avoid college green ?

Just anytime I'm around there driving/walking it looks like a nightmare for cyclists with all the buses and luas works etc ?