Cyclists and roundabouts

King Damager · 2 Oct 2012 at 14:56

Ok, so question for all, hence I kept it out of Sports arena or Motors....

Friends and myself have been debating this....

If you're on a bike, going round a roundabout, you have two options it seems:

Stay on the outside of the roundabout all the way around, and risk getting hit as you go across an exit, and someone pulls into you, but with the benefit that cars can go inside you at their own pace
OR
Act as a car, and risk someone not letting you onto your exit as such.

kd

platypus · 2 Oct 2012 at 14:57

Act as a car.

As with any junction, ride confidently and assume a safe road position.

Richie · 2 Oct 2012 at 14:59

Cyclist should use a roundabout the same way a car does and indicate appropriately so that the vehicles know you are looking to leave at the next exit.

topgun06 · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:00

I try to avoid large roundabouts, but when I use them I act like a car.

iamtheoneneo · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:04

the highway code leaves this open and sets no rule.
if the cyclists is to be on the outside of the roundabout they must signal right to declare their intention of not exiting. (else face the wrath of a car in your ass)

eddiemcgarrigle · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:13

Act as a car but give clear signals although this doesn't always work and I have the dodgy shoulder to prove it.

Russinating · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:15

Act as a car.

EdGey · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:17

Go on the pavement when you get to a roundabout.

...what?

It's safer and I get scared

andi · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:26

Highway Code states either is perfectly acceptable, as long as you indicate your intentions. Personally, at any kind of big junction, I tend to stick myself right in the middle of the lane, and drivers can treat me the same as they'd treat a car. They might get a bit upset, and I might hold them up for 30 seconds, but rather that than some moron try to overtake you on a roundabout, or pass you then turn left in front of you.

[Damien] · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:27

This is the one part of road cycling that still really bothers me despite cycling on roads since back at school. I try to avoid them as much as possible but after being hit by a car while on the outside of a roundabout I stick to the inside.

It's a complete gamble on the person behind you not undertaking you and cutting you off though.

lemon2 · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:34

There is no good and safe way TBH. No level of cycling competence could reduce the danger to nice levels. Even if you are an experienced cyclist I would recommend taking the pavement and crossings if available. Otherwise act like a car and communicate clearly. As a cyclist I ALWAYS hog the road and annoy drivers, as safety is more important than their journey time.

King Damager · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:49

lemon2 said:
There is no good and safe way TBH. No level of cycling competence could reduce the danger to nice levels. Even if you are an experienced cyclist I would recommend taking the pavement and crossings if available. Otherwise act like a car and communicate clearly. As a cyclist I ALWAYS hog the road and annoy drivers, as safety is more important than their journey time.

Major issue with 'hogging the road' as such makes people more likely to make stupid, rash decisions....

kd

McGray · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:50

I always act like a car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicular_cycling

MikeHunt79 · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:50

Act as a car and hope for the best

CircleFaust · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:52

Russinating said:
Act as a car.

that's what i do, brrrummmmmm brummmmmmm , brummm

no but seriously, act like a car

Nexus · 2 Oct 2012 at 15:58

I tend to follow the road as when driving.

However it is pretty daunting on the huge multi-lane roundabouts that are very busy. Quite a number in London will have a section on the pavement designed to be a cycle lane, so I will usually use them during rush hours, even though its slower.

godinman · 2 Oct 2012 at 16:03

I act as a car, just be very aware of your surrounding, indicate madly with your arms and assume a slightly aggressive road position so that numpties don't try and cut you up.

Dup · 2 Oct 2012 at 16:06

Act as a car and take a good strong road position. At a roundabout the speeds should be low anyway, so in effect you're not much different to a motorbike in some respects.

Cosimo · 2 Oct 2012 at 16:13

godinman said:
I act as a car, just be very aware of your surrounding, indicate madly with your arms and assume a slightly aggressive road position so that numpties don't try and cut you up.

Any numpty waving his hands about and making car noises is usually given a wide berth.

godinman · 2 Oct 2012 at 16:20

simulatorman said:
Any numpty waving his hands about and making car noises is usually given a wide berth.

Indeed!