tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post2837997309628997617..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Riding the RoundaboutBrookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-59086644303442097712016-06-07T11:25:11.341-04:002016-06-07T11:25:11.341-04:00In the UK, they are very common, but less common i...In the UK, they are very common, but less common is the 'Hamburger Junction' type of roundabout. Do a google search for 'hamburger junction A31' to see the one near us. <br /><br />I live just off the top right of this one: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hamburger+junction+a31&start=20&sa=N&espv=2&biw=1680&bih=846&tbm=isch&imgil=qYcCvoqVeg1aoM%253A%253BVIovHbgVaKiqKM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.bbc.co.uk%25252Fnews%25252Fuk-england-dorset-14973203&source=iu&pf=m&fir=qYcCvoqVeg1aoM%253A%252CVIovHbgVaKiqKM%252C_&usg=__hKCU_Dwl-jwDYJF6B5i9pvgCDcE%3D&ved=0ahUKEwj7o_CTnJbNAhXlA8AKHbYsAg44FBDKNwgm&ei=wOZWV_vDE-WHgAa22Yhw#imgrc=ku4I4nJwoPpJhM%3A<br /><br />Peter M.PMerchanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708399147388329253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-4351402982461979712016-05-23T11:20:54.282-04:002016-05-23T11:20:54.282-04:00I can easily imagine a roundabout like that as bei...I can easily imagine a roundabout like that as being very intimidating to a cyclist. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-80861503640083535712016-05-23T10:43:38.969-04:002016-05-23T10:43:38.969-04:00There are many of the multilane variety in DC, mov...There are many of the multilane variety in DC, moving at quite a clip. They are challenging for drivers let alone cyclists, due to the many diagonal streets and unpredictable street parking, and at dark drive times in winter they are unnerving to all but longtime residents. I have never tried one as a cyclist. For the center-lane crossovers, you would really have to commit in terms of speed and visibility. A leap of faith or a foolhardy risk, like much in DC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-5349600501661328462016-05-21T23:48:16.102-04:002016-05-21T23:48:16.102-04:00I have ridden what is possibly the roundabout to e...I have ridden what is possibly the roundabout to end all roundabouts: L'Etoile in Paris. It's the one with the Arc de Triomphe, where the Tour ends.<br /><br />The first time I rode it, I had practically no experience with roundabouts. But I did what you prescribe: I took my lane. It wasn't bad. In fact, I rather liked it. At least the French drivers weren't fazed by a cyclist.<br /><br />Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-45820436940331582742016-05-20T02:40:31.044-04:002016-05-20T02:40:31.044-04:00>>"when drivers would try to circle the...>>"when drivers would try to circle the rotary counter clockwise"<br /><br />When I read this yesterday, I thought "I've seen some horrible stuff in our roundabouts, but that's just absurd."<br /><br />Aaaand today I say someone cut through a roundabout the wrong way.HTupolevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01125747802112836770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-33351044360669512422016-05-19T08:43:11.288-04:002016-05-19T08:43:11.288-04:00The purpose of those plants is to reduce headlight...The purpose of those plants is to reduce headlight glare from the other side, but not to be a hard obstruction in case some vehicle goes through it. Plus growing things work to offset carbon dioxide.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16403404432975893648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-60734593372472572342016-05-18T13:54:29.287-04:002016-05-18T13:54:29.287-04:00Mike W. hits the nail squarely -- the trouble with...Mike W. hits the nail squarely -- the trouble with roundabouts and with so many other traffic conditions is drivers who are clueless. If drivers use roundabouts (and stop signs and yellow lights, and blinkers for lane changes) properly, IME they do work.<br /><br />I got used to roundabouts in Nairobi as a boy (jokingly called "kipleftis" in right-hand-drive Kenya) and don't recall any particularly close calls on a bicycle, as I certainly do at red light or stopsign intersections. I recall a slight downgrade on 6-lane Kenyatta Avenue heading toward "town", the city center. I'd spin out my top gear, merge into the middle and, traffic allowing, into the outside (rightmost) lane, and cut through the traffic circle on the inside, merging again to the outside as I exited. I could usually keep ahead of the DKWs, Ford Anglias, VWs, and Peugeot 404s until safely back on the left on the far side of the intersection.<br /><br />Here in Albuquerque, the traffic engineers are experimenting with roundabouts, and yes indeed, people are still clueless -- but not any longer, as 10 or so years ago, when drivers would try to circle the rotary counter clockwise. And of course, you have roundabouts with stop signs -- which seem to be useless redundancies.<br /><br />But I do believe that, as drivers get used to them, they will work better than traffic lights -- fewer accidents from drivers trying to beat the yellows.<br />Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-21944442048147697012016-05-18T00:54:27.805-04:002016-05-18T00:54:27.805-04:00England seems to be home of the roundabout, I have...England seems to be home of the roundabout, I have to navigate 7 on my commute. I quite like them, just follow the advice given here and it's fine. A bit of speed won't hurt eitherBodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12802199670242889328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-68012744309397830092016-05-17T23:58:54.571-04:002016-05-17T23:58:54.571-04:00A huge part of the problem in the U.S. is the path...A huge part of the problem in the U.S. is the pathetic lack of proper drivers' training and testing. New rotaries are becoming more numerous in our area (NE Illinois) but there is one nearby that has been in service for many years along a major 4 lane road and the locals still haven't learnt to negotiate it. Rush hours there are nightmarish.mike w.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10317710564489321690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-44873325750593157982016-05-17T23:19:19.262-04:002016-05-17T23:19:19.262-04:00Yeah me too. In belgium they are often seperated f...Yeah me too. In belgium they are often seperated from the road like a sidewalk would be, wich is slightly better but barely so: the drivers cut you a the point you cross the exits.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00518909092982637229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-70183454237223103172016-05-17T21:46:31.087-04:002016-05-17T21:46:31.087-04:00I rode my bike a lot in Massachusetts in the 70s a...I rode my bike a lot in Massachusetts in the 70s and never had a problem with rotaries.<br />Do not understand the fuss.<br />I love French ronds-points as a motorist as I can sometimes hit 100KPH going thru them.Dave Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07355264650239868491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-10629762517007240152016-05-17T21:22:24.303-04:002016-05-17T21:22:24.303-04:00I believe that having a bike lane around the outsi...I believe that having a bike lane around the outside would have to put cyclists in the worst possible position. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-72056718734786808052016-05-17T20:32:31.456-04:002016-05-17T20:32:31.456-04:00We have a lot of these in Belgium. They suck, excu...We have a lot of these in Belgium. They suck, excuse my french, for cyclists. People right hook us all the time. Especially in those with a cycling lane on the outside, people just don't look that way.<br /><br />But they do save lives...automobilists lives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00518909092982637229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-11877935247502833012016-05-17T16:01:05.779-04:002016-05-17T16:01:05.779-04:00Great advice. I would agree that in my experience ...Great advice. I would agree that in my experience if roundabout do one thing they slow down cars. One of the annoyances of roundabouts in the US at least in St.George, UT. Is that they plant bushes in the middle, such that you can't see traffic on the other side. Justus Robert Guntherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636408857672287503noreply@blogger.com