Rounabouts

Dizzy the Egg

I'm in training for starting to commute to work and was wondering what the rules are for rounabouts. Are we allowed to use them? I've noticed a lot of cycle lanes in Glasgow tend to stop at 2 lane roundabouts without providing any further information. :?

el_presidente

Dizzy the Egg wrote:

I'm in training for starting to commute to work and was wondering what the rules are for rounabouts. Are we allowed to use them? I've noticed a lot of cycle lanes in Glasgow tend to stop at 2 lane roundabouts without providing any further information. :?

Cyclists are forbidden from entering rounabouts

If you do go in you won't be able to get out again

Mog Uk

You're on a bike, you can go where ever you want....

prj45

My only rule for roundabouts is not to use the cycle craft suggested technique of using a vehicle as a "sheild", unless you want to die horribly.

Other than that I just treat em as I do in a car (where I wouldn't use another vehicle as a "sheild" either).

gilbert_by_proxy

prj45 wrote:

My only rule for roundabouts is not to use the cycle craft suggested technique of using a vehicle as a "sheild", unless you want to die horribly.

Other than that I just treat em as I do in a car (where I wouldn't use another vehicle as a "sheild" either).

I second that! I don't understand how hiding beside a van will protect you.

BentMikey

prj45 wrote:

My only rule for roundabouts is not to use the cycle craft suggested technique of using a vehicle as a "sheild", unless you want to die horribly.

What do you think the cyclecraft advice refers to exactly, because I don't understand what you mean?

trailtrash

Out for an unplanned fun ride last friday I was just riding around, following my nose, when I 'come to' down a road I drive a lot but hadn't ridden before. Normally, when riding, I use side streets etc as much as possible to avoid traffic, but I suddenly realise I'm approaching a busy roundabout near the bus station, want to turn right, I'm on my bike and I'm surrounded by big metal bike eaters, which is what I'm usually driving at this point myself!

'Ah ballcocks' I thought to myself (sort of), 'futt it, let's go!'

Luckily the traffic was busy and slow moving so (and I know it's not clever) I went into 'courier' mode, stood up, aimed for the gaps, even overtook a Micra at one point (Half way past I'm thinking 'what the futt am I doing?!') and then dived down the next available and side street, stopped for a breather and planned my route home.

Fun, bit of a rush, but not good for the long term health I suppose!

prj45

gilbert_by_proxy wrote:

prj45 wrote:

My only rule for roundabouts is not to use the cycle craft suggested technique of using a vehicle as a "sheild", unless you want to die horribly.

Other than that I just treat em as I do in a car (where I wouldn't use another vehicle as a "sheild" either).

I second that! I don't understand how hiding beside a van will protect you.

Being next to a vehicle, especially a van or lorry, is one thing, but if it accelarates away, or you slip a gear you'll be dealing with the idiot who's aiming, at speed, for the space where the vehicle you were using as a "sheild" once was, and where you now are.

DavidTQ

I take a lane I take primary position and dare a driver to try and push me out of the way... Hanging around limply at the side of the lane on a busy round about is asking for drivers to take advantage. I just stake my claim and take my rights to a piece of the road just as I would in a car, except that if the exit is busy as well I will go down the outside of the outside lane overtaking two lanes of solid traffic, the joys of being on a bicycle.

BentMikey

prj45 wrote:

Being next to a vehicle, especially a van or lorry, is one thing, but if it accelarates away, or you slip a gear you'll be dealing with the idiot who's aiming, at speed, for the space where the vehicle you were using as a "sheild" once was, and where you now are.

That reads much like the relevant paragraph in Cyclecraft, so it seems that you do agree with John Franklin after all. The caveat being that this is only for very busy roundabouts where if you don't use another, preferably slow, vehicle to join the roundabout, you'll be increasing the risk to yourself by holding up following drivers for too long.

spasypaddy

i only use a car as a 'shield' as a way to get out on to the roundabout, once im out there its every man for himself.

BentMikey

Spasy, yes that's my interpretation of what John Franklin writes.

spasypaddy

if you dont use a car as a shield you wont be getting out, thats the issues ive found. Cars just dont respect you enough to allow you enough time to get out. Obviously if it is clear or a lights controlled roundabout you can go off at your own steam. But a busy roundabout needs a bigger vehicle to give the other car users more warning that there is someone in front as it naturally alerts them to the fact that there are people in front.

prj45

spasypaddy wrote:

if you dont use a car as a shield you wont be getting out, thats the issues ive found. Cars just dont respect you enough to allow you enough time to get out. Obviously if it is clear or a lights controlled roundabout you can go off at your own steam. But a busy roundabout needs a bigger vehicle to give the other car users more warning that there is someone in front as it naturally alerts them to the fact that there are people in front.

hmm, I just make sure they're looking at me by staring at them, and if I feel I can pull out without making them slam their brakes on I will.

Worrying about keeping in the shadow of another vehicle is too much to think about all at once.

Confidence is the key, if you show a lack of it car drivers will often take advantage of that, weigh up that they are more confident than you and just go for it.

One they make that decision its often like a shark's eye rolling back in its head; "I'm coming through no matter what happens", they might as well just shut their eyes.

Eat My Dust

It depends on the roundabout. There's a large roundabout on Kenton road (NW London/Harrow) and if you don't use another vehicle as a shield you could be sitting there for a very long time!!!

richardjallen

If the traffic is heavy then I use a car as a shield to get onto the roundabout. I can normally tell when they are going to pull out from watching the traffic from the right. High-sided vehicles prevent watching the oncoming traffic so I prefer a car.

What I don't do is use the left-hand lane when I want to go right or straight on (as the highway code hints) and signal. I get in the correct lane for the direction I want to go in.