This is the design manual prepared in 1998 by the Cycle Facilities Committee of the Dublin Transportation Office. It sets out a comprehensive set of guidelines for the design and provision of cycle facilities. The manual is currently under review.

The draft Limerick City Cycle Network uses the guidelines in the Design Manual as the basis for its proposals along individual routes.

The design manual sets out five key requirements for cycle facilities in harmony with characteristics of cyclists. These requirements include:

Cycle Track is defined in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations as meaning part of a roadway, which is reserved for the use of pedal cycles and from which all mechanically propelled vehicles other than mechanically propelled wheel chairs, are prohibited or restricted from entering.

Cycle Tracks may be located on the roadway (referred to as on-road cycle track or cycle lane) or segregated from roadway by kerb, grass verge, etc (referred to as segregated cycle track).

Cycle tracks are indicated by signage, white lining along edge and use of cycle logo. The cycle track may include a road surface of different colour.

Where a cycle track is indicated by a continuous white line (s) it is a Mandatory Lane and the following conditions apply:

In the case of a cycle track indicated by broken white lines it is called an Advisory lane and the following conditions apply:

Cycle Way:

Cycle way is defined in Section 68 of the Roads Act 1993 as a public lane reserved for the exclusive use of pedal cyclists on pedal cyclists and pedestrians. There is separate signage for cycleways, which are

Cycle tracks and cycleways may be one way, two way or contra flow.

The Design Manual set out guidelines for lane width and other junction details for a wide range of scenarios. It also acknowledges the difficulties that may be encountered in achieving these guidelines in a retrofit situation.

The preliminary design for each route will address the practical application of the guidelines to the actual conditions encountered on the route. Particular attention will be given to junction treatments, roundabouts, the use of advanced stop lines and adequate crossing facilitates.