TRAINS
Bicycles are carried for free off-peak on Irish Rail’s Dart and Commuter train services — you may also be able to carry bikes counter-peak (ie where trains are not busy in peak times because commuters are mostly travelling in the opposite direction) but this will depend on staff. Bicycles are also carried on Intercity services but there is limited space and a fee. Covered folding bicycles are allowed at all times for free. See Irish Rail’s bicycle page for details.
BUS ÉIREANN
Bus Éireann carries normal bikes for a fee and covered folding ones for free. The company says: “Folding bicycles which are packed and wrapped in a suitable carrier bag/protective covering will be treated as passengers’ accompanied luggage and carried free of charge in the luggage storage area. Folding bicycles which are NOT packed or wrapped as described above will be charged at the full cycle rate.” It adds that bicycles, along with prams or buggies, will be carried only if there is space available and these items must be placed in the luggage compartment.
DUBLIN BUS
Only folding bicycles are allowed — this is stated company policy (see the end of this article). But in practice, this seems to be up to individual drivers. It’s advisable that folding bikes are covered well before boarding the bus. The national cycle policy promises a trial bicycle racks mounted to the front of bus, as is common in many cities the US and Canada (see this video), but this appears unlikely to happen.
LUAS
Covered folding bikes are allowed on trams. Full-sized bicycles are effectively banned on all Luas services at all times, even thought this is contrary to stated Government policy.
AIRCOACH
Aircoach carries normal and folding bicycles. On its website, its FAQ page says: “We value our customers and will do our best to accommodate you. Space permitting we will be happy to transport these items”
TAXIS
Dublin taxis generally do not carry bicycles and are are not required to do so. But you should be able to convince some drivers of larger taxis to carry bicycles and, as a last resort, others may carry them in their car’s boot.
