I have a 2 lane roundabout along my daily commute which I have to navigate twice. Both times are left hand turns, as I take different routes to and from work. Mornings aren't so bad, since most traffic is "with me", but in the evening I find I'm often crossing paths with traffic as I navigate the roundabout.
Picture for return leg of the trip is below. The roundabout is 2 lanes in all directions. Speed limit is either 40 or 50km/h (24 or 31m/h for our American friends) as one direction has a school zone. Each entry/exit has a bike lane but the roundabout itself does not. The bike lanes "disappear" onto the sidewalk - where the design intent appears to be to try to force cyclists onto the sidewalk to become pedestrians, but where I live we're allowed to take the lane. The roundabout is also "pedestrian priority" if that makes any difference, and is also slightly uphill towards north.
Basically, I have 3 options.
1 - Enter the roundabout on the right hand lane - this involves taking the roundabout on the right hand side at all times, but involves crossing a lane mid-roundabout. Note that the markings indicate that the right lane is for going right or straight. Other than the part where you cross traffic, this "feels" the safest option to navigate.
2 - Enter the roundabout using the left hand lane. Markings indicate that this lane is for left or straight. I've done this a few times and it involves mingling/lining up with traffic and less safe than the right hand option, even though it is what is marked on the road. This feels less safe since I'm also 2 lanes away from oncoming traffic going south, and as visible as I try to be, I'm still less visible than a car.
3 - Take the sidewalk. I don't want to do this since I am allowed to use the roundabout as a vehicle and I'm set on using the roundabout as a cyclist.
Usually I take option 1 (Right hand lane), as it feels the safest option without becoming a pedestrian. Most times the roundabout is either clear of traffic (especially in the morning), or drivers see my signal and recognize that I have to cross a lane within the roundabout. Most drivers are extremely courteous, and will stop to allow me to make my lane change safely.
Today, however, a lady in an SUV didn't see me at all until she saw my left signal and partial shift leftwards within the right lane leftwards. She slams on the breaks, thinking that I'm veering towards her in the lane. Car #2 also doesn't pay attention and slams on their brakes at the last minute, narrowly avoiding a rear end collision. For my part, I was safe - I elected to proceed straight through instead of turning, but this near-accident has prompted a rethink of how I approach the intersection, both for my own safety, and for any confusion I cause.
Thoughts?
Picture for return leg of the trip is below. The roundabout is 2 lanes in all directions. Speed limit is either 40 or 50km/h (24 or 31m/h for our American friends) as one direction has a school zone. Each entry/exit has a bike lane but the roundabout itself does not. The bike lanes "disappear" onto the sidewalk - where the design intent appears to be to try to force cyclists onto the sidewalk to become pedestrians, but where I live we're allowed to take the lane. The roundabout is also "pedestrian priority" if that makes any difference, and is also slightly uphill towards north.
Basically, I have 3 options.
1 - Enter the roundabout on the right hand lane - this involves taking the roundabout on the right hand side at all times, but involves crossing a lane mid-roundabout. Note that the markings indicate that the right lane is for going right or straight. Other than the part where you cross traffic, this "feels" the safest option to navigate.
2 - Enter the roundabout using the left hand lane. Markings indicate that this lane is for left or straight. I've done this a few times and it involves mingling/lining up with traffic and less safe than the right hand option, even though it is what is marked on the road. This feels less safe since I'm also 2 lanes away from oncoming traffic going south, and as visible as I try to be, I'm still less visible than a car.
3 - Take the sidewalk. I don't want to do this since I am allowed to use the roundabout as a vehicle and I'm set on using the roundabout as a cyclist.
Usually I take option 1 (Right hand lane), as it feels the safest option without becoming a pedestrian. Most times the roundabout is either clear of traffic (especially in the morning), or drivers see my signal and recognize that I have to cross a lane within the roundabout. Most drivers are extremely courteous, and will stop to allow me to make my lane change safely.
Today, however, a lady in an SUV didn't see me at all until she saw my left signal and partial shift leftwards within the right lane leftwards. She slams on the breaks, thinking that I'm veering towards her in the lane. Car #2 also doesn't pay attention and slams on their brakes at the last minute, narrowly avoiding a rear end collision. For my part, I was safe - I elected to proceed straight through instead of turning, but this near-accident has prompted a rethink of how I approach the intersection, both for my own safety, and for any confusion I cause.
Thoughts?