The Canal Cordon refers to an imaginary boundary formed by Dublin’s two canals, the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal which encircle the city. Every year, the Canal Cordon Report provides a detailed snapshot of how commuters are getting in and out of Dublin city centre during morning rush hour. The 2024 report just issued on May 26th 2025 shows some exciting trends for more sustainable, active and public transport options.
At Travelhub, Biketowork.ie and Hubex, this data is not only exciting but it’s an essential snapshot into commuting trends to show where local authorities and employers can focus their attention. Progress is being made and it is evident that more support will be needed. We’ll break down some of the key findings from the report and what they will mean for the future of commuting in Dublin.
Modal Split: A decade of Change
Over the past the ten years, commuting into Dublin city during morning peak hour has undergone a significant transformation.
Key Stats:
Private car usage has dropped from 33% in 2014 to just 22.25% in 2024
Public transport now accounts for 50% of all trips into the city
Cycling has more than doubled and now represents 6.6% of inbound trips
Walking continues to grow steadily which reflects better pedestrian infrastructure and denser living patterns.
Cycling: A Quiet Revolution
The rise in Cycling has been one of the most significant trends of the past decade. In 2010, only 4,400 cyclists were counted entering the corden. In 2024, that number is over 14,000 which is a 218% increase.
What is driving this surge?
- Expansion of segregated cycle lanes
- Employer-backed cycle to work schemes via BikeToWork.ie, Travelhub and Hubex
- Cultural shifts towards active healthy lifestyles
- Growing awareness towards active, healthy lifestyles
We have personally seen a sharp increase in demand from employers looking to promote cycle commuting not just for sustainability but for employee wellbeing too.
Public and Active Travel Now Dominate
When you combine walking, cycling, bus, rail and Luas, more than 3 in 4 commuters (77%) now enter the city without using a private car. This signals a shift in commuters embracing cleaner, more efficient ways to travel.
The shift is also being supported by:
- Fare integration through Leap Card
- Investment in BusConnects and public transport infrastructure.
- Employer incentives such as Taxsaver Tickets and flexible commuting policies
The Decline of the Car
While car transport still plays a role, their prominence is fading. In 2024, the car share fell to a historic low of 22.5% of trips made into the city. A drop of more than 10% in the last decade alone.
This has some far-reaching implications:
- A decrease in congestion and emissions in the city centre
- Growing appetite for park-and-ride and multi-modal commuting
- The opportunity for employers to support more diverse travel choices
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Canal Cordon Report shows encouraging progress but there is still work to do in particular with improving access to the outer suburbs, safer cycling infrastructure and making public transport more frequent and more reliable. We personally, are excited to be a part of this movement and assist in driving it forward and to see an even higher shift away from private car usage in 2025 and beyond.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Commuting Strategy?
Get in touch with us via Travelhub.ie to explore how we can help your organisation support smarter, greener travel for your workforce.
