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A few extra minutes can buy a much more relaxed ride.

Greener Dublin, Ireland 3 min read

How to plan a calmer city bike route

By (Our writers) · Published

A few extra minutes can buy a much more relaxed ride.Photo: John Flanagan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A good city bike route isn't always the shortest. The best ones trade a few extra minutes for quieter streets, fewer big junctions and stretches where you can actually enjoy the ride. Here's how to plan one, whether you're commuting for the first time or looking for a nicer way to get around at the weekend.

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Stop 1 · Phoenix Park · Protected lane

Chesterfield Avenue Cycle Track

Wide, flat cycle track starting at the Parkgate Street gate and running the length of Phoenix Park.

Walk here

Start with the direct route, then improve it

Use the direct cycling route as your baseline. Google Maps' cycling directions already lean towards bike lanes and quieter roads where it has data. Then look at the map and ask three questions about each section: Is there a parallel street with less traffic? Is there a canal, river or park path heading the same way? Can I avoid the biggest junction on the route? Small changes add up quickly.

Junctions matter more than distance

Most stressful moments on a bike happen at junctions, particularly large multi-lane ones and roundabouts. A route that's 300 metres longer but crosses one big junction instead of three is often just as quick in practice and far more relaxing. Look for signalised crossings with bike lights, and where you drive on the left, as in Ireland and the UK, favour left turns over crossing several lanes to turn right.

Rule of thumb: if you wouldn't be comfortable with a confident 12-year-old riding a section, look for an alternative. It's a good test of whether a road suits relaxed everyday cycling.

Use green corridors

Towpaths, riverside paths and park roads are often the most pleasant way to cross a city. They tend to be flat, continuous and separated from traffic. Check the rules first: some paths are shared with pedestrians, some parks restrict cycling to certain roads, and some close at night. On shared paths, slow down, ring your bell early and give walkers plenty of room.

CYCLE LANE IRISH STYLE
CYCLE LANE IRISH STYLEPhoto: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Crossing Dublin by bike

In Dublin, the Grand Canal has a cycle route along much of its length on the south side, and the Royal Canal towpath offers a largely traffic-free route west out of the city, with new urban greenway sections opening in phases. Phoenix Park is popular with cyclists too, with long, wide roads and a network of paths. Combining these with quieter residential streets can turn a cross-city ride into something you look forward to. Works and diversions change from time to time, so check current conditions.

Kit that makes a difference

  • Lights front and rear. In Ireland they're a legal requirement when cycling at night, and they're worth using on dull winter days too.
  • A good lock, used through the frame to something solid.
  • Mudguards if you ride in a damp climate. They're the difference between arriving fresh and arriving soaked.
  • Water and a basic repair kit, or at least the location of a bike shop on your route.
A WALK ALONG BENBURB STREET (FROM THE TRAM STOP AND THEN ON TOWARDS THE PARK GATES AT PHOENIX PARK)
A WALK ALONG BENBURB STREET (FROM THE TRAM STOP AND THEN ON TOWARDS THE PARK GATES AT PHOENIX PARK)Photo: William Murphy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Timing and weather

Rush hour brings more traffic but also more cyclists, which can make bike lanes feel busier but more visible. Mid-morning and early afternoon are usually calmest. Check the wind as well as the rain: a strong headwind can add a surprising amount of time, so a more sheltered route can be worth it on blustery days.

Make stops part of the ride

On a bike, a detour of a kilometre or two barely registers. That makes it easy to add a stop: a park bench with a view, a café with bike parking outside, or a landmark you've never had time to visit.

Cyclists are given their own fancy separated cycle lanes on the former westbound carriageway of the N31 road, Dún Laoghaire (1577o)
Cyclists are given their own fancy separated cycle lanes on the former westbound carriageway of the N31 road, Dún Laoghaire (1577o)Photo: Djm-leighpark, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Stay safe

Follow local traffic laws, stay visible, keep out of drivers' blind spots, especially around lorries and buses, and never use your phone while riding. Plan your route before you set off and use audio directions if you need them.

Reference & tools:

Dublin through the year

Dublin averages 14 rainy days in Oct and highs of about 14°C. The driest month is usually Apr.

07.5158°9°10°12°15°18°19°19°17°14°11°10°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Days with 1 mm of rain or moreAverage high (°C)

Show the numbers
MonthRainy daysRainAverage highSunshineSunset
Jan1363 mm8°C4.1 h/day16:34
Feb1366 mm9°C5.4 h/day17:33
Mar1580 mm10°C7.1 h/day18:27
Apr1263 mm12°C9.2 h/day20:23
May1365 mm15°C11 h/day21:16
Jun1372 mm18°C11.4 h/day21:54
Jul1579 mm19°C10.1 h/day21:47
Aug1382 mm19°C9.7 h/day20:56
Sep1383 mm17°C8.2 h/day19:44
Oct1488 mm14°C6.2 h/day18:32
Nov1387 mm11°C4.5 h/day16:31
Dec1595 mm10°C3.3 h/day16:07
Averages for 2015–2024 from Open-Meteo historical weather (CC BY 4.0); sun times calculated for the 15th of each month, local time.

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