Dublin Active Commuting Surge
Dublin just hit 500,000 daily journeys on foot or by bicycle — avoiding over half a million car trips every day. The shift is most pronounced in central areas, driven by expanded cycle lanes, pedestrian zones, and improved transit connections. Data released March 3 by the National Transport Authority shows this sustainable transport push is dramatically reducing congestion.
This shift in commuting habits generates a net economic benefit of €2.19 billion annually for the Dublin Metropolitan Area. Each kilometer cycled instead of driven creates a €1.71 net economic benefit, while each kilometer walked yields €1.23. Active travel also saves the HSE an estimated €55.7 million per year, equivalent to the cost of over 920,000 GP appointments. The changes are part of the overarching Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042. A key objective is creating a "low traffic city centre" by removing through-traffic, as analysis showed 6 out of 10 cars in the core area had a destination elsewhere. The plan aims for a 40% reduction in general traffic, learning from low-traffic conditions during the pandemic. A 314km Active Travel Network is being built to support this goal, funded by the National Transport Authority. Dublin City Council is delivering 214km of these routes, with the BusConnects program adding the remaining 90km. This is part of a larger plan for a 1,485km cycle network connecting Dublin with Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow. The national government has allocated €360 million for active travel and greenway projects in 2026. However, Dublin City Council's direct funding for these projects has decreased to €35.95 million, down from €54.1 million in 2024. Critics have raised concerns that this reduction, coupled with rising construction costs, could put the delivery of planned projects at risk. Future measures outlined in the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan include making Parliament Street traffic-free, following a consultation where 90% of respondents favored the change. Other proposals include adding bus gates on the quays near the Ha'penny Bridge and removing through traffic from the Pearse Street and Tara Street spine. This sustainable transport push saves 97,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in Dublin annually. This is the equivalent of about 1.21 million passenger flights from Dublin to London Heathrow. In addition to climate benefits, increased walking and cycling prevents an estimated 589 early deaths in the metropolitan area each year.
