I did this trip yesterday and I promised @monthlycycles I'd report back so here goes... https://twitter.com/ccferrie/status/1381572601009561605

My journey started in Rathmines. Access to the Dodder is poor whichever route you take. I went via Orwell Road on the way there and Dartry Road on the way back - neither is very comfortable for cycling on. No cycle paths and speeding drivers on both.

I cycled on the shared path along the north bank of the Dodder from Orwell Road and crossed the bridge onto Dodder View Road near Ely's Arch. I then followed the cycle path to Rathfarnham Rd. The path is shared in parts with the footpath so you have to give way to people walking

At the junction with Rathfarnham Road I made the mistake of switching across to the cycle lane on the south side of the road rather than staying in the parkland alongside the river. This dumped me out into a murder strip at the junction with Fairways

If I had stayed in the parkland the path would have brought me under the Springfield Ave bridge and onto the new path on the east bank of the river (which isn't officially open yet but is accessible). Instead I went down the steps to the west bank where the path surface is rough

It did, however, bring me back across the river over this new bridge (which again, isn't officially open but is accessible as the fencing has been moved to one side to allow access). I really like the consistency in the design of the new bridges across the Dodder.

The path then runs as far as the Kilvere estate where there is a barrier which I had to lift the bike over. Presumably this barrier will be removed once the path officially opens.

You're then back on to public roads, out onto Butterfield Avenue where there are no cycle lanes, and through the junction at the Blue Haven onto Firhouse Road where there's another murder strip and you have to cross three lanes of traffic to get to the riverside path

At which point you meet the first of several "kissing gates", impassable by anyone in a cargo bike, adapted bike, wheelchair etc and difficult for anyone on a bike. The path from here is quite narrow and rough and I'd imagine it's not a great place to be in poor light.

It brings you under the M50 where there is another kissing gate and the path continues on to the Tallaght Weir

Who knew Tallaght was so beautiful?! There were people here picnicking with their bikes lying beside them on the grass.

But almost immediately after this there is yet another kissing gate and a barrier with a fence attached to the top so you can't even lift your bike over. This resulted in lots of queuing to get through.

The paths through the Dodder Riverbank Park were great and will look even better once they are planted out. Loads of space for people walking and cycling.

And then you cross the suspension bridge into Dodder Valley Park where you can get right down to the river. Again, who knew Tallaght was so beautiful?!

At the end of Dodder Valley Park there is yet another kissing gate exiting onto Old Bawn Road. From here I followed the segregated cycle lane as far as the Old Mill to head south on Ballinascorney Road...that was a mistake.

The path came to an abrupt end about 400m up Ballinascorney Road and I was dumped out onto a narrow road with very fast moving traffic.

And sure enough, it wasn't long before I got an unnecessarily close pass at speed. This road is categorically not safe for cycling.

But I made it safely to the Bohernabreena Reservoir car park and once again was on a car-free path up to the reservoir. Definitely worth the trip! There's a nice looping path that brings you around the upper lake.

On the way back I realised that I should have taken the Kiltipper Road instead of the Ballinascorney Road. It looked less safe from the Old Bawn Road end but it connects into a generous path through Kiltipper Park that brings you right up to Bohernabreena

Heading back down through Kiltipper Park you reach a narrow wooded path which exits into the Kiltipper Woods Care Centre which then exits onto the main road.

Kiltipper Road itself is narrow but the traffic isn't moving as fast because of the speed bumps. It felt a lot safer. I was then straight back into Dodder Valley Park at Old Bawn Road and on my way home again.

The rest of the journey home was uneventful until I left the riverside path at Dartry and was back mixing with the traffic on Dartry Road. It's going to be important to ensure that routes to the Dodder Greenway are not forgotten when the route is developed further.

So, in summary, the route isn't quite there yet and there are parts of it I wouldn't feel safe bringing the children. It is also inaccessible for many types of bike - we need to see the removal of all of those kissing gates to ensure better access for all.

Nearly all of the paths are shared paths which means you have to give way to people walking a lot. The newer paths in the South Dublin County Council area are very generous and there is plenty of space for all.

I think as the route becomes more established as a commuter route there may be a need for more explicit separation of people walking and cycling to avoid the problems we see on the Clontarf to Sutton coastal route.

But one thing that is very clear is that there is a huge potential for the Dodder Greenway to become an important artery within the city. @sdublincoco have progressed their end of it very well albeit with more to do. I hope @DubCityCouncil can catch up quickly.

I should have added - this is a fairly leisurely cycle. No lycra required. I did it in jeans and a t-shirt and got to Bohernabreena in an hour including several stops for photos and checking the map.