The 12 Delays of Christmas


With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, it’s one of the most hectic times of the year. With so much to do, we don’t want to waste time being held up in traffic! And that is exactly what we will focus on this month. 


These insights have been provided by See.Sense, our Official Bicycle Lights and Data Insights Supplier. By using these insights, we can take a look at some of the junctions where a number of cyclists are being delayed on their journeys.


The maps below show data in the form of columns of differing heights and colours, like a colourful causeway. Each column shows the averaged delay of cyclists who have stopped at that location, with a taller column indicating a longer delay. 


The colour of the columns show the proportion of cyclists that had to stop at that location, varying from blue to red, with red indicating a very high proportion of cyclists experiencing a delay. 


So without further delay (sorry) let’s have a look.


#1 Belfast 

Multi-junction at Albert Bridge, where the Ravenhill Road, Short Strand and Albertbridge Road meet.




The tallest peak represents a delay of 114 seconds, with 1 out of every 2 cyclists experiencing this long delay as you enter Belfast City Centre. This particular crossing does not have a set of traffic lights, whereas the rest of the junction does, and also sees lower delays. 


#2 Belfast

Grand Parade / Castlereagh Road Crossroads




3 out of every 4 cyclists experience an average delay of 33 seconds at this busy junction in East Belfast. 


#3 Belfast

Ormeau Embankment / Ormeau Road / Annadale Embankment Crossroads




Busy junction with pedestrian crossing near Ormeau park with 1 out of every 2 cyclists experiencing an average delay of 20 seconds and almost 100% of cyclists experiencing a delay of at least 6 seconds.  


#4 Belfast

Ballygowan Road / Upper Knockbreda Road




Busy junction crossing a dual carriageway, where almost 100% of cyclists experience a delay with an average delay of 43 seconds experienced.


#5 Dublin

Junctions at each end of the Father Mathew Bridge



This bridge has multiple sets of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, with half of all cyclists experiencing an average delay of 18 seconds at these junctions.  


Dublin

#6 Capel Street (leftmost cluster), #7 Grattan Bridge (central cluster), #8 Parliament Street (rightmost cluster)




A triple-whammy of delays if you travel along the one-way system along Capel Street, over Grattan Bridge, and onward to the lower end of Parliament Street.
At Capel Street junction before the bridge, 1 out of every 5 will experience a delay of up to 38 seconds.
On the southside of the bridge at the junction with Wellington Quay, 1 out of every 2 cyclists experience an average delay of 26 seconds.
While 2 out of every 3 cyclists will experience an average delay of 14 seconds at the junction of Parliament Street and Dame Street. 

#9 Dublin
Rathfarnham Road / Dodder Park Road / Dodder View Road Crossroads



This large junction with traffic lights causes 1 out of every 3 cyclists to experience an average delay of 27 seconds. 


#10 Dublin
Junction on northside of the Samuel Beckett Bridge



More than 8 in every 10 cyclists will experience a delay at this crossroad, with an average delay of 14 seconds. 

#11 Dublin
Donnybrook Road / Stillorgan Road / Beaver Row Junction




1 in every 3 cyclists will experience an average delay of 12 seconds at this large junction. 

#12 Limerick
Patrick Street / Ellen Street T-Junction





The majority of See.Sense users are based in Belfast and Dublin, however we did see a spike in delay times in Limerick at this T-junction, where the traffic filters onto the one-way Patrick Street and then meets traffic lights straight away. 
Almost all cyclists will experience a long delay at this junction, with the average being around 26 seconds. 


Closing Thoughts


Understanding delays on a cycling network is not only about understanding travel times to and from your destination. But for cyclists, delays can impact both rider comfort and safety. Having to make frequent stops will force cyclists to ride at a slower speed, which not only makes your journey longer, it increases your risk of losing stability on your bike.  According to Dutch design guidelines, a cyclist travelling at 12 km/h has reasonable stability (CROW, 2017). Therefore, the less often you need to stop at junctions on your journey, the better.

Get Involved! 

This is our last Members Insights Series of 2022, however you can still get involved by anonymously contributing your ride stats using the free See.Sense App to make close pass reports or provide other feedback. You need to own a See.Sense light to contribute, however Cycling Ireland Membership offers an exclusive 30% discount code off all See.Sense award-winning reactive bike lights - check your membership newsletter to find your unique code. 

If your area isn’t featured here, put it on the map! Our coverage is still building in some counties, particularly in areas outside major population hubs, so if you’d like to see your local routes featured be sure to use your exclusive discount and hit the roads with a See.Sense light. 

Not Just A Bike Light

It's not just about the insights. If you own a See.Sense product and have joined the See.Sense community through their mobile app, you’ll see some unique and fun stats about your own rides too. These include:

The distance you've cycled
The calories you've burned
How much CO2 you’ve saved by cycling
More unique and fun stats.

Remember, all Cycling Ireland members get 30% off See.Sense lights!