Thinking of starting to commute by bike.

BetterThanThou

I've been doing some research lately, and I've noticed I'd probably make my daily commute from Tallaght to Rathmines quicker on a bike than bus, in addition to saving myself a decent lump of cash and have a reason to do some cardio. I've one main concern though, where do I leave my bike? I've seen relatively few bike stands in Dublin, and none in Rathmines. Is there any law against just locking my bike to a lamp post? I'd be leaving it there for 6 hours give or take a day, do people in general have an issue with this? Or am I safe enough with a secure lock on a lamp post? Does anyone know of any bike stands around Rathmines?

There are a good few bike stands in rathmines, in front of the gym or swan being two examples. I'd definitely use two locks though, second one for your front wheel.

mr spuckler

and be aware of how best to use those locks!

have a look at something like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVd9-0HhsfA

07Lapierre

mr spuckler wrote: »

and be aware of how best to use those locks!

have a look at something like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVd9-0HhsfA

Don't lock your bike like this!....

steve_r

I'd be wary of locking my bike in Rathmines.

Saw a girl one day whose bike had just been robbed - this was in the middle of a busy day and obviously nobody had bothered to intervene.

I lock my bike outside Swan leisure while I am there - one time I came back after the gym was closed and someone had tried to remove my front wheel.

There is a place to lock bikes downstairs in the carpark beside the cinema - dunno how secure it is tho.

Ciaran_B

I’ve locked my bike on the Rathmines Road many, many times day and night, never had a problem. Invest in a couple of decent locks and try to lock it somewhere public (outside Starbucks for example) and you should reduce the chances of your bike getting stolen.

Mec-a-nic

BetterThanThou wrote: »

I've been doing some research lately, and I've noticed I'd probably make my daily commute from Tallaght to Rathmines quicker on a bike than bus, ...

I've done this - so some notes off the top of my head:
* Do It! There's a lot of OK cyclepaths between those two points and you're not exposed to the city centre squash.
* Start as soon as possible - the weather/daylight is going to get worse from here on - if you can adapt to that and commute through winter, then spring/summer is something great to look forward to.
* Locking the bike - good advice already given - do use two locks (you can always leave one in place) and always lock it to something immovable.

A Jeffers

I'd agree with the good cycle paths, Tallagh to Rathmines. And they keep getting incrementally better. Ask you employer if you can store your bike in your workplace (I don't know what job you have or where you work, but there should be somewhere). I wouldn't leave my bike in Rathmines for a day, but that's me.

One piece of advice, don't cheap out on a bike. You'll regret it and hate cycling afterwards. About €300 or a little upwards should get you a good bike that will last. But you might want to weight that up against where you keep it while at work. Ie don't leave a €300 bike on the street!

Other than that, enjoy it. Don't rush your commute and look after yourself!

Fian

Can't offer any suggestions as to locking your bike in Rathmines.

I can say that starting to commute by bike is the best decision I have made in the last 5 years bar none. I really enjoy the commute, it completely gets my head out of work before i arrive home and it has led to me cycling much farther distances at the weekends just for fun.

I am someone who never would have imagined or believed i would enjoy "exercise" (as opposed to a competitive sport) 5 years ago.

go for it, what have you really got to lose? And it will definitely be faster as well as more pleasant than commuting by bus.

get some decent cycling clothes and bring a change of clothes in a backpack to work.

CatFromHue

A Jeffers wrote: »

Ask you employer if you can store your bike in your workplace

Do this

QueensGael

I've never had any problems leaving my bike in Rathmines - there are stands outside the Swan Leisure, the cinema and the library. I've often left it overnight and it was fine.

I'd use it as an opportunity to encourage your employer to provide space though, you might just start a cycling culture in your office!