Getting Around by Bicycle

Shared Bike Schemes

Dublin has joined a host of great cities all over Europe, including Seville, Brussels, Vienna and Paris by introducing its own bike sharing scheme. You can find out how to use the service by visiting the Dublin Bike scheme website.

Another option for cycling in Dublin city, if you do not have the use of your own bicycle, is the Stationless Bicycle On-Street Hire Scheme. You can learn more about that programme here.

Greenways in Dublin

Constructed by Dublin City Council with funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport under the Smarter Travel Initiative, the Canal Way Cycle Route is now used by over 2,000 cyclists on a typical working day.

Opened in March 2012, the 3.6km route links Portobello with Spencer Dock running alongside the Grand Canal. This scenic route passes Leeson Street Bridge, Dublin’s Docklands and across the iconic Samuel Beckett Bridge.

The Canal Way Cycle Route is ideal for individual cyclists, families, groups and anyone who wishes to join Dublin’s growing cycling community. It passes through nine junctions where cyclists will have to interact with pedestrians and motor vehicles.

Planning permission was granted in May 2013 for a 2km section of the 22km Sutton-to-Sandycove coastal route. Dublin City Council is also working on the development of future Greenways along the Grand Canal, Royal Canal, Tolka Valley and the River Dodder.

In June 2013 Dublin City Council marked National Bike Week by launching the Tolka Valley Greenway. The Greenway is a 4km cycling and walking route which links Glasnevin, Cabra, Finglas and Ashtown. It is part of a €4.1m, 18.2 hectare extension to Tolka Valley Park. It features wetlands, parklands and walkways and has almost doubled the size of Tolka Valley Park.

Dublin cycling stories

Made with the support of the Dublin Cycling Campaign and Dublin City Council, Dublin Cycling Stories is a series of short portraits of profiling the many people who use bicycles to get around Dublin for work, life and leisure.

Fixed penalties for cyclists

As of 31st July 2015, An Garda Síochána (police) can impose fixed penalty fines on cyclists for offences such as cycling in pedestrianised areas or cycling without reasonable consideration. For a full list of fixed charge offences and more information see here.