“Whatever you do, don’t use a bicycle in Dublin” a former student advised a visiting student. This warning raises some concerns about cycling in the Irish capital and its urban facilities. Unfortunately, this issue has been around since the twentieth century.
“Interestingly, the bicycle also became a symbol of liberation for women in the twentieth century, the same century when women started studying in Trinity College, back in 1904, allowing them to be independent in their mobility”
Indeed, bicycles were a popular way for Dubliners to get around in the early twentieth century, especially due to the World War restrictions. Then the bicycle was superseded in the latter half of the century by cars. Most people using bicycles were part of the working class, but students were important users too since they couldn’t always afford a car to go to school. Interestingly, the bicycle also became a symbol of liberation for women in the twentieth century, the same century when women started studying in Trinity College, back in 1904, allowing them to be independent in their mobility. However, cyclists became a minority, seen as a danger and an inconvenience on the road.
“The city chose to adapt itself to the increasing number of cars and growing traffic by remodeling the streets of Dublin, completely neglecting the bicycles”
The city chose to adapt itself to the increasing number of cars and growing traffic by remodeling the streets of Dublin, completely neglecting the bicycles. In 1968, the report of Myles Wright, Professor of Planning at the University of Liverpool, was published, suggesting a new urban planning. According to the historian Hanna Erika, it was “ the most influential document in shaping Dublin’s development until the end of the twentieth century.” Even though it was a revolutionary transformation for the motorized engines, it took more than a decade for the first two cycle lanes to be opened, thanks to the campaign Bring Back the Bike. The first one is located between Davitt Road and Basin Street, about one mile long, while the other one goes from the Bull Wall to the East Wall Road, three miles long.
Despite this four mile long victory, the road is still not a safe place for the cyclists of Dublin. They have to share the road with buses, trams and cars, knowing that they are the most vulnerable in case of a collision. A Road Safety Authority (RSA) report affirms that Dublin County saw the largest number of cyclist fatalities between 2016 and 2021, at 24% of the total. Marina Schärtel, an Erasmus student at Trinity College who rides her bicycle every day, shares that she opted for this mode of transport because it is quicker and more economical than taking the bus. However, she finds the cycling lanes, particularly in the downtown area, to be overly congested and frequently obstructed by buses. Crossing the road is quite frightening for her. She says, “At the beginning, I stopped before the crossings and went over the footpath in order not to use the crossing and one way roads.” Another student, Annelie Spruit, agreed and added that some streets in particular are very dangerous, such as Dawson Street since there are no designated areas for cyclists or O’Connell Street which is “extremely busy with cars and buses that won’t give you priority, it can be very daunting.”
The practical use of the bicycle in Dublin, to get to work or on campus, is obviously unsafe and there is definitely room for improvement. On the other hand, friendly cycling has been developing in the city in safer areas like Phoenix Park with off-road cycle tracks and accessible bike rental. Without a doubt, the practice is healthy and must be encouraged but students would very much like to get to class in one piece.
