Do you EVER get used to idiots on Roundabouts?

Kieran_Burns

Okay, I've just started the commute thing (3 weeks now and going strong!) and I have learned VERY quickly to check the cars coming on to the roundabout you're on (or about to get on) from the junction AFTER you.

Once I almost got totalled by a lorry driver who couldn't see the manic bumble-bee on a bike (Hi-Vis yellow and black leggings: what else would you call it?) and this morning a guy in a VW Golf who drove straight onto the roundabout and didn't notice me until he was directly alongside of me.

I had been watching him (as I always do) and hit the brakes as soon as I realised he wasn't going to stop. I slewed sideways and the look of utter shock his face, which was by now only inches from my own....

I think he was going to stop but I didn't dare as the combination of adrenaline from cycling / anger / fear would've had me ripping his head off....

lost_in_thought

I think it's consistently a case of 'presume they haven't seen you' and never think that because you're in the right they will respect your right to be on the road.

You'll get used to it, I did in the end...

Or, if it's feasible, find another route!

Kieran_Burns

I can't, it was the roundabout onto the business park I work at!

Mind you - this one roundabout is an exception to the normal rule. People on that one don't stop for other CARS, so what chance do I have? :?

lost_in_thought

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I can't, it was the roundabout onto the business park I work at!

Tchah, blast! :x

Maybe time for a spot of roundabout avoidance, is it on privately owned land? If so, you're allowed (I've been told) to ride on the pavements/verges. If it's just a really bad roundabout then maybe it's a good idea...

Or just see how you go.

redvee

A friend of mne got wiped out on the entrance to a roundabout by a car from behind. He was at the head of the queue with a bus behind him and a car behind the bus. As they all moved off the car decided to go round the bus to get to the m/way slip road and didn't see my friend on his bike. From memory he was hurt but luckily not too badly though the bike took a hit.

jedster

roundabouts are bad news on bikes. The cruical thing is to get your road positioning right because this
a) signals your intent as to where you are going
b) maximises your visibility.

The worst thing to do is to hug the left kerb (outside) if you are actually going straight on or right. Some drivers will assume that you are coming off at the next exit and you will be in their peripheral vision as the look to enter making it more likely that they wont see you.

J

sc999cs

I pretend to be a car on roundabouts and use the same road positioning I'd use when driving. If you're riding where car drivers would expect to see a car then it increases their chances of seeing you. As jedster said NEVER hug the kerb.

Steve C

c12345

Thats how I was run over: nothing I could do about it, or anyway to mitigate it. I just wasn't seen by the driver.

I was on the very inner lane, and tried to go around again, but the driver was cutting accross in a straight line, and I happened to be on that line.

biondino

Do Idiots On Roundabouts EVER Get Used To You? might be a better thread title...

NWLondoner

I always position myself like a car as well.

Plant myself in a position where i cannot be overtaken or undertaken.

Of course this doesn't always go to plan. Got caught out the other week and almost ended up on the bloody M10 :shock:

karl j

i think you should always watch out, and cover your brakes juuurrrst in case.

It only takes one...

downfader

There are a couple of roundabouts I wont cycle on. Too many cars get wrecked on them so what chance does a cyclist have. :? :roll:

I have some videos of roundabout numpties, should really edit them down into something for youtube :twisted:

chuckcork

I think mini roundabouts are probably the worst, as they are there mainly for traffic calming purposes, and if the traffic flow is dominated by a particular route and you are trying to cross against that flow then you are just asking for trouble.

There were a couple on my ride to work in Kingston Upon Thames that I would describe as being almost lethal, drivers would completely ignore me and either just drive straight through at speed, or just cut right across the front of me as they turned right.

I had to slam on the brakes more than one to avoid being hit side on, by drivers who somehow managed to completely ignore my presence.

It wasn't as if I was invisble or that sightlines were poor, its that it was a rat run route for traffic to avoid other busy roads in the area, they were all going too fast and were just playing the follow the leader game, with no allowance for anything or anyone to be in their way.

I did read at one point of a "cycle rage" attack on one of the streets in that area, my published comment to the local newspaper was that the cyclist in particular had I would guess nearly been hit by the woman driver like I so often nearly had been, but unlike me had taken violent exception to it....funnily enough my request that the met could perhaps enforce traffic laws in the area, like speeding, giving way at roundabouts etc was never taken up by the local coppers....

Not suprisingly I had the piss taken out of me at work for daring to suggest there was a problem with the traffic there, mostly and ironically by the morbidly obese secretary we had at the time. Gad she was huge!

Kieran_Burns

I've read with interest and not a small degree of satisfaction what experienced riders have said - i'd like to point out that I cycle in the MIDDLE of the lane when turning left for just the reasons given.

On this roundabout there are two exits (left and straight on) and two lanes, so I sit in the middle of the right hand lane when going straight over. Car drivers behind (normally... I have had a couple of idiots undertake me :roll: ) wait behind me and I get out the way as quickly as possible

This morning I was slap bang in the middle of the roundabout when el-dingbat almost took me out.

chuckcork

Probably the most annoying thing for me can be that drivers will look straight at me, then pull out in front of me anyway, when they would not be doing that to a car that was travelling at my speed.

Its either they are totally underestimating my speed (usually about 20mph) or just arrogant driving by arrogant drivers.

That Petrol Emotion

All Roundabouts are a 'mare' for cyclists. The worst ones near me are also on a business park and I think because drivers have either just started or are just ending their journeys, they 'switch off ' more than they do elsewhere.

I always think of my commute as taking a flight, as the worst bits always seem to be in the first and last half mile (take-off and landing)!

And don't even get me started about the mongs who don't indicate.. :x

Dudu

Always assume that everybody - that's everybody, including other cyclists and pedestrians - is an idiot and is about to try to kill you.

That way, you'll be pleasantly surprised - to the extenet of being nice to them - when they don't

roger_merriman

i don't have a problem it has to be said with roundabouts, take the lane and proceed like a car, most folk can kick a bike off faster than a car can, don't be afraid to hold the lane, job done.

Dudu

roger merriman wrote:

i don't have a problem it has to be said with roundabouts, take the lane and proceed like a car, most folk can kick a bike off faster than a car can, don't be afraid to hold the lane, job done.

Quite right. My technique is to accelerate on entering a roundabout so that I'm moving as fast as if not faster than motor traffic on the roundabout, take the appropriate lane very firmly and signal clearly when leaving.

Sadly, on club rides when i'm leading, this often means I leave my mates stranded on the roundabout, not knowing which exit to take, because they're too timid to keep up 8)

Kieran_Burns

roger merriman wrote:

i don't have a problem it has to be said with roundabouts, take the lane and proceed like a car, most folk can kick a bike off faster than a car can, don't be afraid to hold the lane, job done.

All well and good but it doesn't take into account the people joining the roundabout from a junction AFTER you.

The technique of accelerating into the roundabout would simply have put me into the side of the side or worse in front of it when this guy failed to stop and see me.

Dudu

Kieran_Burns wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

i don't have a problem it has to be said with roundabouts, take the lane and proceed like a car, most folk can kick a bike off faster than a car can, don't be afraid to hold the lane, job done.

All well and good but it doesn't take into account the people joining the roundabout from a junction AFTER you..

Not if you're in the right lane. If you're not exiting at the next opportunity, you hould be in the second or third lane.

Kieran_Burns

Dudu wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

i don't have a problem it has to be said with roundabouts, take the lane and proceed like a car, most folk can kick a bike off faster than a car can, don't be afraid to hold the lane, job done.

All well and good but it doesn't take into account the people joining the roundabout from a junction AFTER you..

Not if you're in the right lane. If you're not exiting at the next opportunity, you hould be in the second or third lane.

I was in the right (correct) lane and it was a simple case of someone not looking at what was on the roundabout. At least not until I come to a screeching halt inches from the side of his car.

gtvlusso

Pedal harder and faster - quick changes and keep the power on. If anyone tries to run outside you, unclip and stick a leg out.
I do several massive, laned, round-a-bouts on my way home and am quite used to them - aggression and pure power gets you through and ahead of everything.

lost_in_thought

Dudu wrote:

Always assume that everybody - that's everybody, including other cyclists and pedestrians - is an idiot and is about to try to kill you.

That way, you'll be pleasantly surprised - to the extenet of being nice to them - when they don't

Spot on.

roger_merriman

gtvlusso wrote:

Pedal harder and faster - quick changes and keep the power on. If anyone tries to run outside you, unclip and stick a leg out.
I do several massive, laned, round-a-bouts on my way home and am quite used to them - aggression and pure power gets you through and ahead of everything.

thats pritty much what i do, i'm no ultra fit etc, but across a roundabout i'm normally the fastest thing on it, i really rather enjoy roundabouts!

Bassjunkieuk

gtvlusso wrote:

Pedal harder and faster - quick changes and keep the power on. If anyone tries to run outside you, unclip and stick a leg out.
I do several massive, laned, round-a-bouts on my way home and am quite used to them - aggression and pure power gets you through and ahead of everything.

I use that technique for the larger roundabout's I have to deal with. As I approach I will normally change down a gear or 2, ideally into my "pulliing off" gear. That way if I do have to stop I can easily build up speed again, and if I don't I can keep my momentum whilst accelerating. If anything I have found that cycling on the roundabouts and being aware of what lane(s) I can use has made it easier when I'm in my car :-)

I'd also have to agree with previous poster's that mini-roundabouts are normally the worst as they tend to be in more built up area's with some of the one's near me having parked cars near the entrances due to the house's on the road!

AndyManc

Theres a round-a-bout near me , 2 lanes approaching the RA , vehicles in the right hand lane taking the first left exit :evil:

Absolute tossers , I keep meaning to take some video ... if it ever stops pi**ing down I'll do it this week . :roll: