This page is part of The Index from IrishCycle.com.

The Index is a work-in-progress and this page originally pre-dates The Index and is in need of updating.

What is contra-flow?

A number of arrangements which legally allows for cycling in the opposite direction to the general flow of motorised traffic. The arrangements include:

• Contra-flow cycle paths
• Two-way cycle paths on an otherwise one-way street
• Contra-flow cycle lanes, with or without entry treatments
• Contra-flow streets, with or without entry treatments
• Contra-flow bus lanes, with or without cycle lanes
• Contra-flow entry only, rest of street is two-way for all

NOTE: This page does not represent best practice, it is just an overview of contra-flow across Ireland. Please also note that cyclists should obey traffic signs, markings and signals presented to them at any of the listed streets — this page is not a legal guide. 

IrishCycle.com articles on contra-flow

• Cycling against traffic legally
• “Studies” to look at contra-flow cycle lane on Rosie Hackett Bridge
• Contra-flow cycle path opens to Windy Arbour Luas Stop
• Cork cycling goes contra-flow
• Dublin councillors and TDs views on contra-flow without lanes (2013 survey)
• Is this the best designed contra-flow cycle lane in Dublin?
• Contraflow cycle lanes purposed for Dublin City
• Contra-flow cycling streets could be rolled out across Dublin City 

Photographic examples

Contra-flow cycle path
Example: Newtown Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Contra-flow street (without lanes)
Example: Royal Canal Bank, Phibsborough, Dublin City

Contra-flow street (without lanes)

Example: Leinster Street North, Phibsborough, Dublin City

Contra-flow entry only
Example: Usher Street, Dublin City

Cycle lane, with entry treatment (entry not pictured)
Example: Ryder’s Row, Dublin City (note: cycle logo painted on ground is facing wrong way)

Two-way cycle path on an otherwise one-way street
Example: Charlemont Mall, Dublin City

List of contra-flow in Ireland

Cork

• Washington Street
• O’Sullivan’s Quay
• Pope’s Quay
• More built TBC

Dublin City

There are contra-flow cycle lanes or paths in operation at the following locations in Dublin City:

• Bull Alley Street, Dublin 8
• Inchicore Road, Dublin 8 (odd, non-segregated two-way cycle lane and west bound traffic lane for most of the road)
• Talbot Memorial Bridge/Memorial Road
• Ryder’s Row, Dublin 1 (off Bolton Street)
• Capel Street, Dublin 1 (short section attached to Ryder’s Row)
• Andrew Street, Dublin 2
• Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 (inside contra-flow bus lane)
• St Stephen’s Green East (inside bus lane, planned with BXD works)
• Brunswick Street North, Dublin 7 (short section, access from George’s Lane only)

Two-way cycle tracks / paths which allow for contra-flow cycling:

• Richmond Row, Dublin 8 (two-way cycle track and west bound traffic lane)
  Charlemont Mall, Dublin 2 (two-way cycle track and west bound traffic lane)
  Sir John Rogerson’s Quay (two-way cycle track and west bound traffic lane)
• City Quay (linked to Talbot Memorial Bridge/Memorial Road)

Contra-flow with signs only:

These are streets with low traffic volume and speeds where general traffic is one-way but two-way cycling is allowed via entry signs alone (no entry signs with ‘except cyclist’ plates):

• Royal Canal Bank, Phibsborough, Dublin 7
• Hammabille Park, Terenure, Dublin 6w
• Terenure Park, Terenure, Dublin 6w
• Leinster Street North, Phibsborough, Dublin 7

One-way entry only:

• Usher Street (entry-only, also including segregated right-only turn path on Bridgefoot Street)
• Mountpleasant Avenue Upper, Rathmines

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

• Newtown Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin
• Nutgrove Park
• St Columbanus Road, Milltown, Dublin 14 (part of Luas to UCD route)
• N11 between Merrion Grove and UCD flyover

Dundalk

• Chapel Street
• Stapleton Place / The Cresent

Mayo 

• Riverslade / Quay Road, Ballina