The 10 Most Popular Cycling Commuter Routes Across Ireland


In July, we teamed up with our partners at See.Sense to launch our brand new Commuter Platform - an exciting new platform for businesses aimed at incentivising employees to cycle, whilst also providing the data needed to measure ESG goals. 


To mark this launch, we are revealing some of the most popular routes for commuting around Ireland. Cycling to work is becoming increasingly popular as people try to do their bit to reduce their CO2 output and move away from traditional car dependency. As you might expect, this list centres primarily around Dublin and Belfast, however we have also tried our best to include some popular spots from other cities around the country!


This analysis has been provided by See.Sense, using anonymised data gathered from users of See.Sense lights connected to their free app. See.Sense is our Official Bicycle Lights and Data Insights Supplier and will continue to provide member insight blogs throughout 2023.  Find out how to get involved at the bottom of the article. 


1. Comber Greenway

To kick things off we are starting in Belfast with the popular Comber Greenway. This 7-mile stretch, formerly a railway track, now connects East Belfast to the charming town of Comber. The route meanders through the picturesque Northern Irish countryside, offering a delightful leisure path for everyone to enjoy. Not only does it provide a tranquil escape, but it also serves as a vital commuting artery for residents in East Belfast, Dundonald, and nearby areas, leading them effortlessly towards the heart of the city.




2. Titanic Quarter/ Airport Road

Our next route starts from Holywood and provides an excellent option for commuters heading towards the Titanic Quarter, where many major businesses like Citi, Microsoft, and IBM are located. This is also a useful route as it leads cyclists directly towards the city centre through the Lagan Footbridge. 




3. Lagan Towpath

The Lagan Towpath in Belfast is a highly favoured route among cycling commuters, thanks to its incredibly convenient location, and the absence of traffic. Stretching from North to South, this path serves as a valuable option for cyclists seeking a hassle-free route to the heart of the city. Moreover, it proves to be particularly beneficial for students in the area, providing a convenient way to head up the city towards the Ulster University campus.




4. Newtownards Road

This route is popular amongst cyclists in Newtownards and East Belfast heading in towards Belfast city centre. During the rush hours, it is expected that this journey will take a similar amount of time whether you’re on two or four wheels, the difference being one is much healthier and eco-friendly than the other. Although this route along the Newtownards Road only contains a shared bus-cycle lane, the demand shown highlights the potential for more cycling if the infrastructure was improved. 




5. North Dublin Bay

Moving onto Dublin now, and the capital contains plenty of routes that prove popular with cyclists. This route is a seaside commute connecting the port of Dublin to Howth, with new cycling infrastructure available for much of the route. With its vistas along the way, it provides a simpler, less busy route that many motor users crave in Dublin.



6. Harbour Route

Switching from North Dublin to South Dublin now, this popular route snakes along the Rock Road towards Ballsbridge and Sandymount, taking advantage of the recently built cycle lanes in the region. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure to check out our analysis on the impact of the new Blackrock - Dun Laoghaire Cycling Infrastructure. 




7. Bushy Park to Trinity College

Perfect for students of Trinity college who want to enhance their morning commute, this is a straightforward journey into the hustling city centre of Dublin that passes through Rathmines and Portobello. A shared bus-cycle lane is present for much of this route. 





8. Phoenix Park

One of the largest urban parks in any European Capital, this route takes you right through the heart of Phoenix Park. The later stage of this route, which runs parallel to the Liffey past Smithfield, sees plenty of commuting traffic joining onto the route from nearby areas and converging towards the centre of Dublin. 



9. Cork

Moving away from the 2 major cities, Cork is seen to be popular for cycling commuters. This route passes along or nearby several business districts on the outside of Cork, whilst also incorporating the villages of Glounthaune and Carrigtwohill. 



10. Limerick

We can see a couple of different routes at play here in Limerick. Perhaps the most popular is the arterial route running from Annacotty along the R445 towards Limerick city centre, despite the route lacking dedicated cycling infrastructure. 




Get Involved


We’ll have more member insights blogs coming throughout 2023, so make sure to get involved by anonymously contributing your ride stats using the free See.Sense App. You need to own a See.Sense light to contribute, however Cycling Ireland Membership offers an exclusive 30% discount code off all See.Sense award-winning reactive bike lights - check your membership newsletter to find your unique code. 

If your route isn’t featured here, put it on the map! Our coverage is still building in some areas, particularly in areas outside major population hubs, so if you’d like to see your commuting route featured, be sure to use your exclusive discount and hit the roads with a See.Sense light. 

Not Just A Bike Light


It's not just about the insights. If you own a See.Sense product and have joined the See.Sense community through their mobile app, you’ll see some unique and fun stats about your own rides too. These include:

The distance you've cycled
The calories you've burned
How much CO2 you’ve saved by cycling
More unique and fun stats.

Remember, all Cycling Ireland members get 30% off See.Sense lights!