Myths: Weather

3658120461_a90f8db7d0_b

The weather in Dublin is generally comparable to Copenhagen and Amsterdam, both seen as cycling cities with cycling accounting for 40%+ of commuters.  Average weather conditions from BBC.co.uk shows both Copenhagen and Amsterdam have more ‘Wet Days’ (+0.25 mm) than Dublin. Amsterdam and Dublin have comparable rain fall, while Copenhagen has extreme cold weather and snow in the winter.  Outside the BBC.co.uk stats, Dublin is sometimes noted as being windy, but so is Copenhagen.

Dublin City Council’s 2005 study, Weather and Cycling in Dublin : Perceptions and Reality (PDF), shows the actual probability of getting wet while cycling in the city is low. Using detailed rainfall data between April 1 2003 and March 31 2005, and an example of a 22 minute commute in the city, the study found:

“Rainfall of 0.5mm per hour would typically be viewed as drizzle/very light rain. Using this low rainfall threshold (i.e. cumulative rainfall of 0.2mm on the 22 minute journey) the cyclist would have got wet on only 5% of trips in the morning and on 4% of trips in the evening. When higher rainfall thresholds are applied the proportion of trips where the cyclist gets wet declines very dramatically. With a threshold of 1mm over the 22 minute journey, which would be classified as moderate rainfall, the cyclist gets wet on average on only 0.6% of trips in the morning and on 0.4% in the evening”

It found the probability of getting wet is “very low,” but cyclists and motorists had “unduly pessimistic” perception of the weather. Its conclusion pointed towards addressing this in future promotion of cycling, four year later this has yet to happen:

“The survey results also show that car commuters and cyclists alike have a pessimistic view of the probability of getting wet in Dublin which is very inaccurate when viewed against actual data. There is a case for measures to address the misperception of occasional cyclists and car commuters alike regarding the true incidence of rainfall in Dublin and the probability of getting wet. This might form part of any new policy to promote cycling in Dublin”

3 comments

  1. I don’t think it’s being overly pessimistic to expect to get wet on the typical commute cycle – you are completely exposed to anything the weather can throw at you – I believe you get wetter too as travelling into the rain uncovered and at speed makes you wetter than walking with a brolly.
    I did 10k into Dublin city centre for years and got round the problem by keeping a set of appropriate clothes/shoes at work to change into. The main problem tended to be shoes and socks and trousers which I found very vulnerable to puddle splashes, muck, spray and falling rain. Plastic bags over shoes and/or waterproofs wasn’t a good solution for me.
    Secondly, the effort of cycling also necessitated sportswear (particularly in warmer months)- which I found kept me fresh enough not to feel the need for a shower after a ride – I think it’s easier to get dried should you get wet.
    Anyone taking on transport cycling like this does need to think ahead and be ready to deal with weather-related clothes issues if personal appearance after their ride is a factor.

    Reply
  2. @Firhouse
    You are right that it is important to be prepared if you are doing a relatively long cycle on a regular basis and that proper layers and clothes are important, but that is probably less of a concern for the shorter trip most cycle commuters would make. Also I think Cian’s point is that it doesn’t rain half as much as people claim when they are listing excuses not to cycle. I did an even longer cycle commute several days a week for well over a decade before lockdown and I only really got properly soaked a handful of times.

    Reply
  3. I always have a light pair of breathable leggings and top with me. That sorts out any issues of rain. You do occasionally get caught in a downpour, but most of the time when it’s raining, it’s not that bad and I don’t even bother putting on the waterproofs.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.