Why Cycle Lanes Work: The Facts Behind the Debate

Mark Lynch
Sep 2
2 min read

Updated: Sep 23

Cycle lanes often spark heated debate in Ireland. Some dismiss them as “window dressing” or claim they’re “not used.” But the evidence, from Ireland and internationally, tells a very different story. Well-designed cycle infrastructure saves lives, improves health, reduces congestion, and benefits everyone on the road, not just cyclists.

1. Saving Lives and Preventing Injuries

Road traffic collisions are one of the leading causes of injury and death in Ireland. Cycle lanes reduce those risks dramatically by separating vulnerable road users from fast-moving traffic. International experience shows that where safe infrastructure exists, serious accidents drop significantly. Every life saved or injury prevented is a direct return on investment.

2. Cutting Congestion for Drivers Too

It’s not about everyone cycling. It’s about giving people the option. In Ireland, 40% of all trips are under 8 km and the school run alone accounts for around 20% of Dublin’s morning traffic. Many of those journeys could be walked or cycled if safe routes existed. When even a small percentage of people switch, it frees up road space for those who genuinely need to drive making traffic easier for everyone.

3. Improving Health and Reducing Costs

Cycle lanes make it easier for people to integrate daily exercise into their lives. That lowers rates of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. The result: healthier communities and less strain on our health service. Cities like Copenhagen and Seville have shown that cycling investment pays back many times over in public health savings.

4. A Key Part of the Transport Puzzle

Cycle lanes alone won’t solve Ireland’s transport challenges. They are part of a bigger solution alongside buses, rail, and a long-overdue metro system. When the Greens were in government, we fought hard to secure record investment in all of these: fare reductions, expanded rural bus services, BusConnects, DART+ rail expansion, and pushing for MetroLink. Cycle lanes are one piece of a much larger picture.

5. International Experience Proves It Works

Cities across Europe, from Amsterdam to Paris, were once dominated by cars. They transformed because leaders invested in safe, joined-up cycling networks at the same time as improving public transport. The result is cleaner air, safer streets, less congestion, and more vibrant city life. Ireland has every reason to follow that path.

In Summary

Cycle lanes aren’t a luxury or a distraction. They are a proven, research-backed way to:

Save lives and prevent injuries
Reduce traffic by cutting short car trips
Improve public health
Support a balanced, integrated transport system

Agree with them or not, the Greens stand up for these measures because they work. And because the evidence shows that safer, healthier, more liveable communities are worth fighting for.

But don't take my word for it. See a list of just some of the research and examples below.