Cyclists today called for a plan to curb speed limits in Dublin to be rolled out nationally.
Forcing motorists to drive at 30kph (18.6mph) would alleviate traffic gridlock across Ireland and give a boast public health and the environment, it was claimed.
Shane Foran, of Galway Cycling Campaign, said society in general would benefit if the plans by Dublin City Council were implemented properly in urban areas nationwide.
"Higher speeds just mean you get to the traffic jam faster," he said. "In many cases, travelling by bike these days is quicker than by car." Mr Foran said lower speeds could lead to motorists spending less time sitting at junctions.
"Measures to reduce motorised traffic, and motorised vehicle speed are top of the list when it comes to making cities walkable and cyclable and are of far more value than the piecemeal imposition of so-called cycle-paths," he added.
"A 40 per cent reduction in the speed limit in urban areas would be a major improvement and would be a big help to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as disabled and older people."
A row broke out last week when council chiefs in the capital revealed plans to slash speed limits in the city to just 30kph. Dame Street, D'Olier Street and Westmoreland Street and parts of Temple Bar are among those to have the 50kph (31mph) cut by the end of the year.
While road safety chiefs, cyclists and pedestrians gave it their backing, taxi bosses said the new restrictions were a punishment.
Tommy Gorman, president of the National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU), said professional motorists were being targeted by the law instead of jay-walking pedestrians and bad cyclists.
He also feared the move would bring the city's already gridlocked streets to a standstill. Mr Foran said the claims were unfounded and easily contradicted by experiences in other countries.
"This issue must be discussed on the basis of road safety research and in the interests of society as a whole," he continued. "If commercial interests, such as the NTDU, wish to influence road safety policy then they must offer clear evidence-based arguments in support of their position."
Campaigners for cycling said research shows that congestion on urban roads is governed mainly by the capacity of junctions, with lower speeds increasing junction capacity.
But they stressed it would be a mistake to rely solely on posting a new speed limit, and that other measures would be required, including improved road design and higher levels of enforcement by the Gardai.
"Holland has 16 million inhabitants, 13 million bicycles and one of the best road safety records in Europe," Mr Foran added.