Dublin City Council has officially opened the Canal Way Cycle Route. The 3.6 km off-road cycle route runs from Portobello to Sheriff St along the Grand Canal. It passes Leeson St Bridge, Dublin’s Docklands and over Samuel Beckett Bridge. It is the first part of a planned cross city, off-road cycle route.
The route has received funding of over €5.5 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport under the Smarter Travel Initiative. A 3.3km off-road cycle track along Tolka Valley running from Finglas Road to River Road in Ashtown is also under construction.
“The numbers of people cycling in the city have increased by over 70% in since 2004. Dublin City Council is responding to that demand and facilities like the Canal Way and dublinbikes create a more cycle-friendly city. Measures including the truck restrictions brought in with Dublin Port Tunnel and the 30kph zone in the city centre also improve the environment for all road users. As the Canal Way Cycle Route is off-road it’s ideal for families, young people and also visitors. Cycling is a healthy, cost effective and easy way to get around Dublin and I am sure the route we are opening today will be very successful” says Dublin’s Lord Mayor Andrew Montague.
“We remain ambitious for cycling both for Dublin and in the country nationally,” says Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly TD. “This is among the best off-road cycle routes within a major urban area in the country and will benefit both commuters and tourists alike and make Dublin much more cycle friendly. This Government is committed to investing in cycling infrastructure and my Department’s provision of €5.5 million for this project is proof of this. The Canal Way Cycle route shows exactly the type of project to help achieve the Government’s intention to have 10% of trips to work being made by bike by 2020.”
Dublin City Council has also announced plans for ‘Cycle Dublin’ a continuous Canal Way route including over 14km long crossing the city along the Grand and Royal Canals.