This website focuses on cycling greenways, but that doesn't mean cycling on roads in Ireland is prohibited. Cyclists are only banned from motorways. Ireland boasts one of most extensive road networks in the EU, with about 20 kilometers road for every 1,000 residents, more than double the average. This high density of paved surfaces is due to a historically dispersed pattern settlement.

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Tourist and recreational cyclists typically prefer smaller roads. Regional or R roads connect minor areas and are usually two-lane, though they can often be narrow. Local Roads (L-roads) and tertiary roads are often characterised as rural lanes but are generally tarred and can be cycled.

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There are probably two main impediments or concerns for those cycling on R and L Roads. Traffic and dogs although the latter are much less of an issue nowadays. The vast majority of dogs nowadays are pets rather than working farm dogs which were common in the past. Dogs are very unlikely to bite but can chase bikes. Traffic is the main concern. While not meaning to frighten those wishing to cycle on smaller roads in Ireland it is worth taking a look at the data and to be forewarned is to be forearmed. 

 

The following data is from the RSA (Road Safety Authority) see report here

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Recent Cyclist Fatalities (2024-2025):

• 2025 (Provisional): 14 cyclists were killed in 2025, which is the highest number of cyclist deaths since 2017.

• 2024: 11 cyclists were killed, a rise from previous years.

• 2020–2024 (5-year period): 45 cyclists were killed and 1,278 were seriously injured, averaging 9 deaths per year. 

Fatalities by Road Type (Minor vs. Major):
While specific "minor road" statistics are often combined with rural or regional road data, the RSA reports indicate a significant disparity between urban and rural fatality locations: 

• Rural Roads (Higher Speed): For fatalities, there is a higher risk on rural roads (80km/h or more). A 2018-2022 review indicated that almost two-thirds (66%) of cyclist fatalities occurred on these higher-speed, generally rural roads.

• Urban Roads (Lower Speed): Conversely, 80% of serious injuries to cyclists occurred on urban roads.

• 2024 Data: A 2024 review noted that 70% of all fatalities (not exclusively cyclists) occurred on rural roads. 

Key Risk Factors:

• Age and Gender: The most affected age group for cyclist fatalities is 56–65 years, with 87% of deaths being male.

• Time: A high proportion (53%) of fatalities occur between 8 am and 2 pm.

• Vehicle Collision: Most fatalities (64%) and serious injuries (70%) involve a collision with another vehicle. 

In summary, while many cyclists are injured on urban roads, a high proportion of those killed in Ireland are on higher-speed rural roads, often referred to as minor roads in terms of traffic volume but high-speed in classification. 

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In summary cycling on minor rural roads in Ireland with speed limits of 60 Km/hr or less have a very low incidence of road injuries. The vast majority occur on either urban roads or roads with higher speed limits. 

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Keep the following in mind.

• Children should cycle on greenways only.

• Cycle single file always

• No speeding, take your time

• No earbuds/ headphones; listen for the traffic

• Stay alert and concentrate on the road all the time 

• Wear bright colours

• Farmers saving hay and grain in summer often rush on the road because of threatened bad weather.  

• Tractors nowadays can travel much faster 

• Locals will not expect cyclists on their patch of road

• Cycle in daylight hours only

• On bends when you cannot see the road ahead, hug the ditch on your side

• If cycling as a couple or group take turns to lead and keep your distance between colleagues.

• Follow these rules on minor roads and you are extremely unlikely to have an accident.

 

In order to access greenways cyclists must generally traverse some urban streets. Remember that more accidents occur in urban areas than on minor roads.  ​​​​​​​