The Courier

The Courier

Most cyclists use their bike as a mean of transportation. For some, the bicycle is more than that, it's their way to make a living.

For instance, the guy in the photo above uses his bicycle to carry stuff around. I took the photo on 27 April 2012 in Lord Edward Street, just near Christ Church Cathedral. And there's another photo of the same subject:

...And away we go...

The Phone Talker

 Hi Mom!

It is pretty hard to imagine life without a mobile phone nowadays. For some cyclists, it is also impossible to imagine sitting on the saddle without making a call.

I took this photograph on the 2nd of May 2012 in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar.

The Cycling Disco

I ♥ Yellow

Don't get me wrong, being visible is highly important for the cyclists safety. Use high-viz, lights and so on to be seen and be safe. Nonetheless, some cyclists take it awfully seriously. But hey, "just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you"...

I shot this photo on 1 March 2012 in Rathgar.

The Flock

 The Flock

 For many cyclist, cycling is a mean to get from point A to point B. For others, getting there is half the fun and they enjoy forming a flock while migrating around.

I took this photo in Dame Street on 29 April 2012.

The Icyclist

Cycling on thin ice

Dublin's cyclists are ready to cycle all the year round, even when the road conditions are icy, slippery and dangerous. I like to call those ice cyclists "the icyclists" or "the iCyclists", which reminds me of apple products.

I took this photo by the Royal Canal, just between Phibsborough and Glasnevin, on 5 January 2010. In fairness, I've seen cyclists commuting in worse weather, but I'm afraid I was too cold to pull out my camera...

The Cold Cyclist

The Mad Hatter

 The Romans had given Ireland the Latin name Hibernia or "the wintry land". As a matter of fact, winters in Ireland are mild and it seldom gets sub-zero. Nonetheless, it does feel cold quite often and cyclists with a woolly hat aren't rare.

I took this photo off Pearse Street on 25 April 2012. This year the winter has lingered until mid-May, thus I could spot this lovely combination of a turquoise hat and a black helmet in this time of the year.

The Tightrope Cyclist

Cycling on a tightrope

You thought cycling on Dublin's roads is a dangerous experience? Think again!

The virtuous guy above, Didier Pasquette, walked on a rope above Temple Bar square on 15 July 2011. When he got bored of walking, he just took a pair of bikes and cycled along the line.

When that became too boring, he switched the bike to a Penny-Farthing as well...

 Now let's make it old-fashioned way

The Wide-Legged Cyclist

 Wide-spread cyclist

We all spread our legs apart from time to time. Some of us just do it in public when it's not really necessary.

For example, the cyclist above, who could keep his leg a bit closer to the other one. I took the picture on 13 January 2012, in Grand Canal Street.

The Unicyclist

The Unicyclist

People who don't cycle sometimes find it difficult to keep balance on two wheels. They must be stunned when they face a unicycle.

I came across this street performer in Grafton street on 2 April 2011. In addition to cycling back and forth on one wheel, he also managed to juggle with fire.

The Red Light Proceeders

 Any position you want...

Although the very same traffic regulations apply to all road users and vehicles, cars and bicycles alike, Dublin's cyclists are impatient and just can't wait for green light to proceed (They're not the only ones. In the UK 57% of the cyclists are jumping red light).

I took this photo in the morning of 14 October 2009 at 8:38am. As you can see, some cyclists don't mind to stand (or cycle) anywhere. The safest position, in case it is unclear, is where I stood and took this photo.

The Old-Fashioned Cyclists

Where are the good auld days?

The number of bicycles in Dublin has seen a sharp rise in the last few years. Thus one might confuse and think that it is a modern invention. However, a gaze at the mechanism, the chain, the cogs and so forth, leaves no doubt. The bike is a 19th century invention, another jewel of the industrial revolution that managed to make it to the 21st century.

The photo above was taken on 17 March 2010 during the St Patrick's Day parade. The cyclists try to promote cycling in Dublin to even a higher level than the current impressive figures. Well done guys!

The Businesscyclist

Folding bike, not folding suits

Some cyclists purchase a pricy cycling gear, whereas others don't really mind wearing their suit while pedalling.

I came across these two cyclists on a sunny day on 22 April 2009, just off O'Connell Bridge. I can't really put my finger on why I pulled my mobile out of my pocket and took this picture. I guess I just found them interesting.

The Umbrella Holder

Cyclin' In The Rain

It's kind of  important to put both hands on the handlebars in order to get a firm grip on the bicycle. Even more so in a blustery weather, when the road conditions can be hazardous.

I came across this cyclist, who doesn't agree with the aforementioned notion, on 18 April 2012 in Camden street, a fairly busy road. For him, it was better to keep his noggin dry than to control his bike.

The Exhausted Cyclist

Almost dead

 Generally, cycling is good for health and endurance. However, too much of it can be, well, too much.

I came across these two cyclists in Killiney Hill park on 2 May 2011. Although one of them seemed to enjoy the picturesque landscape of Dublin bay, the other simply looked knackered!

The HiVizers

 The Shiny Happy Cyclists

In mornings, the roads of Dublin can get very busy. This photo was taken in the junction of N11 and the Grand Canal on 21 February 2012 at 8:22am. As you can see, they all want to be first and there's not much room for everyone and all the cyclists, in their hi viz gear, spread around like a butter on a fresh toast.

Now, try to imagine all those cyclists, each one in his/her own car. The traffic congestion from hell...

The Sideway Cyclist

 The sideway cyclist

The story of this guy is quite interesting. The guy in the photo above, an engineer from Dublin named Michael Killian, invented this weird-looking bicycle called Sideways Bike. He tried to combine cycling, skiing and snowboarding and that is what he's got.
I took the photo above on 12 September 2011 in Grafton Street.

Although it doesn't look road-worthy or like the pair of bikes you would give to your loved ones, I actually caught him in action. Apparently, it moves on roads, as you can see from the photo below, taken on 25 February 2012 in College Green.

 Sideways Bike in action

Sideways bike on Wikipedia
The official website