Dublin Cycling Boom: Commuting Trips Surge 50% as Infrastructure Investment Gains Traction

Dublin is experiencing a significant surge in cycling, particularly for commuting, with novel data revealing a 50% increase in bicycle trips for perform-related travel between 2023 and 2025. This trend underscores a growing shift towards active travel and a positive response to ongoing investments in cycling infrastructure across the capital.

Rising Cycling Numbers in Dublin

According to recent research from the National Transport Authority (NTA), the number of cycling trips made by commuters in Dublin rose from 23.2 million in 2023 to 30 million in 2025. Commuting now accounts for 33% of all cycling trips in the city, a notable increase from 27% two years prior.

Dubliners completed 92.2 million bike journeys in 2025, covering a collective distance of almost 385 million kilometers. These figures demonstrate a substantial change in transportation habits within the city.

Increased Frequency and Wider Adoption

The data similarly indicates that cycling is becoming a more regular activity for Dublin residents. The proportion of adults cycling five or more days a week increased from 8% in 2023 to 12% in 2025. Approximately one in four Dubliners now cycles at least once a week.

Growth in School Cycling

Cycling among school children is also on the rise, with 6 million cycling trips recorded in 2025, nearly double the 3.3 million trips recorded in 2023.

Public Support for Cycling Infrastructure

A majority of Dublin residents support increased investment in walking, cycling, and public transport, even if it means reallocating road space away from cars. This public backing signals a willingness to prioritize sustainable transportation options.

BusConnects and National Transport Strategy

These increases in cycling align with broader government policies aimed at improving public transport and addressing climate change. BusConnects, a key initiative of the National Transport Authority, is a core component of the National Development Plan 2021-2030, the Climate Action Plan 2023, the National Planning Framework 2040, and the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042. The NTA’s Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 also focuses on improving public transport provision, including initiatives like Next Generation Ticketing and the TFI 90-minute fare.

Data Availability

Spatial data from surveys of bus lanes and cycle tracks conducted in the Greater Dublin Area in 2007 is available through data.gov.ie. The NTA also provides GTFS data, which is a standard format for public transportation information.