What are the main stops in How to plan a calmer city bike route?

This Dublin guide covers 3 key stops in order: Chesterfield Avenue Cycle Track, Papal Cross & Deer Meadow, Grand Canal Cycleway. Wide, flat cycle track starting at the Parkgate Street gate and running the length of Phoenix Park.

How do I open step-by-step directions in Joyride AI Maps?

Use the "Directions in Joyride AI Maps" button on this guide to load all 3 stops onto the interactive map with live weather, custom start points and turn-by-turn navigation.

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

Dettagli Vai qui

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 STYLEFoto: 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)Foto: 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)Foto: 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.

Riferimenti e strumenti:

Dublin through the year

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

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

Show the numbers

Month	Rainy days	Rain	Average high	Sunshine	Sunset
Jan	13	63 mm	8°C	4.1 h/day	16:34
Feb	13	66 mm	9°C	5.4 h/day	17:33
Mar	15	80 mm	10°C	7.1 h/day	18:27
Apr	12	63 mm	12°C	9.2 h/day	20:23
May	13	65 mm	15°C	11 h/day	21:16
Jun	13	72 mm	18°C	11.4 h/day	21:54
Jul	15	79 mm	19°C	10.1 h/day	21:47
Aug	13	82 mm	19°C	9.7 h/day	20:56
Sep	13	83 mm	17°C	8.2 h/day	19:44
Oct	14	88 mm	14°C	6.2 h/day	18:32
Nov	13	87 mm	11°C	4.5 h/day	16:31
Dec	15	95 mm	10°C	3.3 h/day	16:07

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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How to plan a calmer city bike route

Esplora i luoghi di questo racconto

Chesterfield Avenue Cycle Track

Start with the direct route, then improve it

Junctions matter more than distance

Use green corridors

Crossing Dublin by bike

Kit that makes a difference

Timing and weather

Make stops part of the ride

Stay safe

Dublin through the year

Pianifica il tuo percorso

Percorsi recenti

I tuoi percorsi

I miei percorsi

Percorsi salvati

Percorsi recenti

Guide e percorsi pronti salvati

Percorsi fatti e completati

How to plan a calmer city bike route

Esplora i luoghi di questo racconto

Chesterfield Avenue Cycle Track

Start with the direct route, then improve it

Junctions matter more than distance

Use green corridors

Crossing Dublin by bike

Kit that makes a difference

Timing and weather

Make stops part of the ride

Stay safe

Dublin through the year

Consigliati per te

Greener commutes: why a park detour is worth it

Walking after dark: how to plan a safer evening route

Road trip stops: how to add great breaks to a long drive

Family walks: how to plan a route kids will actually enjoy

Playground hopping: how to plan a walk between parks and play areas

Dún Laoghaire to Sandycove, the Forty Foot and Dalkey: a coastal walk guide