The Kid In Fronter

Father & daughter on bike

Bicycle is a great way to take the kids to school or Crèche. As this Dublin cyclist demonstrates, the frame is a great spot for the child to sit on whilst the parent can put an eye on and protect the offspring.

I took the photo on the 22nd of April 2013 in Portobello by the Grand Canal. And there is a slightly different version of this photo:

The Pink Bag Man

Don't give a damn what you think

It's not unusual to spot a lady cyclist with a pink bag in Dublin. However, when a guy cyclist has got one, as Tim Vine puts it, Alarm Bells... :) Or perhaps he is some sort of a clown, eg, take a look at his unevenly rolled trousers.

Or more likely,  this guy is a devoted father and cyclist from a well-wheeled family. He accompanied his daughter, who rides a scooter to school. Mystery solved.

I took the picture on 31 January 2013 on the canal cycle path.

The Family Connector

Two cyclists, three wheels

In order to be a cyclist, one doesn't have to ride a bicycle. Half a bike and relative with the right equipment who's willing to tow you is all you need, as this young fellow demonstrates.

I was asked whether the adult in the photo is the former Irish footballer Liam Brady. Frankly, I have no idea. Is it him?

I took the picture on 12 May 2012 on Charlemont Street near Ranelagh.

The Followers

We're coming dad

Good parents accompany their children on the way to school. Parents that are even better do it on bicycle. The kids do some physical activity before school, which helps them concentrate in class (a link about the link between physical activity and concentration). In addition, in an ever chubbier nation, every little activity helps.

I shot the photo on 7 February on Leinster Road in Harold's Cross. I've seen these lovely family quite often on this route. Well done.

The Family Riders

Family cycling

Having five souls under the same roof is being used many times as an excuse for buying a car. This family, however, demonstrates how can urban cycling be an enjoyable activity for the whole family. Mum carries the daughter behind, dad carries the young son in front and the elder son rides his own bike next to the father. A healthy family indeed.

I came across this wonderful family on 26 August 2012 on the Canal path. If I'm not mistaken, they were on their way to the Tall Ship Festival and managed to avoid the nightmarish traffic on the way there.

The Little Top Tube Sitter

Father & daughter

It is heartwarming to see the whole family on bike (see the Balloonists, the kid taker and the family riders for example). So here's another family of cycling Dubliners one can spot, this time a father and daughter cycling from Rathmines towards Portobello.


The girl seems to out grow the child seat, so she sits on the frame's top tube. Or perhaps they had dropped another child at the crèche already.

I took the picture on 22 May 2012.

The Catalan Photographer

Love, bicycle & camera

On a cold winter evening I was walking along Barcelona seaside when suddenly I saw a couple on Bicing (the Catalan version of Dublin Bike, Boris Bike and similar bicycle hire schemes) approaching from behind. My camera was in standby already, so I was prepared to capture the scene. As they were progressing, I realised that the girl isn't just hugging the guy, but also holding a camera. That means that your humble cyclist features in some photo/video somewhere, possibly in Spain.

The photo was taken on a chilly winter day on Barcelona beach on 9 January 2010.

As you have probably noticed already, this is the first post to feature a none-Dublin cyclist. This blog is still "Dublin's Cyclists" and aims to show the world some of Dublin's most peculiar cyclists. However, as cycling is a global phenomenon, it would be beneficial to include cyclists elsewhere. What guides me in choosing photos is that the photos should be taken by myself and be interesting or introduce a "type of cyclist". Hope you'll all enjoy from the global cyclists to come.

The Balloonists

Go mammy!

Seeing families on bike is just splendid (we've already mentioned the family riders and the kid takers). What can be better than that? To add some balloons to make the child's experience even more cheerful...

I came across this happy cycling family on 6 October 2012 at Stephen's Green.

The Kid Taker

After you daddy

Some parents turn themselves into taxi drivers, taking their kids to and fro school and virtually everywhere by car. Their children grow with the belief that that's the only way to get from one place to another. Thus, when I come across cyclists who also take their children on board, I can't help thinking that sooner rather than later a new generation of cyclists is to emerge and join us. Encouraging thoughts in an age of widespread obesity, overweight and lack of activity in general and children in particular.

I took the photo above on 8 May 2012 on the cycle track by the Grand Canal.

The Family Riders

Family Ride

A bicycle is not a minivan or an SUV alright, but it doesn't mean one has to leave the family behind and cycle alone.
There are multiple options to take the young relatives for a tour on the bike if you wish to. For instance, one can attach the little one's bike and drag the offspring around town or install an extra seat in front of the saddle.

I took the picture above (and another one below) on 20 June 2012 in Grand Canal Dock, shortly before the Lunchtime Bike Ride, the highlight of Dublin's Bike Week.
It was wonderful to see so many family riders. It shows that there's a future for cycling in Dublin.

A front sitter