Examples from Dublin

Dublin

While the large one-way systems and increased motor traffic generated by new roads are a serious problem for cycling, design of streets and cycle facilities is usually much better in Dublin than London. It is particularly relevant as traffic signs and rules are similar.

O'Connell Street past the GPO is the major thoroughfare in Dublin. The kerbs have been dropped, calming the traffic and making an extremely attractive space. Note the countdown numbers by the crossing which tell pedestrians how long they need to wait for the green man.

Unlike in London, cycle lanes are marked with a gap outside car parking so that cyclists are kept safely away from opening doors.

While some cyclists have critised this lane, it does give cyclists pulling away from parked cars priority over motor traffic proceeding in the same direction.

Rather than needing an island to segregate cyclists travelling the other way to motor traffic, this design using posts costs less and takes up less space.

Sensibly the cycle lanes in Dublin continue over junctions where cyclists need them most.

Past the historic Custom House, this cycle lane is twice the width of the gutter lanes common in London. There are no yellow lines painted in it either which add to visual clutter: instead there is a no stopping sign.

A high quality cycle track in north east Dublin by the docks. "Raon rothar" is Irish for cycle track which is also the designation given to all types of cycle lane.

Gutters are used to delineate the pavement from the carriageway and cycle parking stands double as bollards to keep illegal parkers off the pavement. A good example of integrated design.

Another attractive street with bollards that fit into the street scene.

The yellow lines stop as you enter this conservation area in Temple Bar which is full of bike parking, though more is still needed.