Cycling on a Roundabout - Part Deux

I recently posted something on how to cycle a roundabout. I took a longer route home from work today because the weather had turned very nice and I had the time. Heading southbound on Hale into the roundabout, I noticed signs that I had not noticed when eastbound on Trafalgar (although upon reviewing the video I saw that they were there too):

I think these signs are supposed to indicate that pedestrians will be on the sidewalk and at crossings, cars and bikes will be on the road and to watch out for all. Visuals being what they are, however, I think they also could easily suggest that bikes should be to the right of cars, which isn't quite what City planners were after, as you shall see.

The City of London posted good information on how to drive a roundabout when this one was introduced, including what I consider perfect advice for cyclists that matches my own except for my personal encouragement to ride in the lane rather than walk even if it makes you nervous. They suggest that experienced cyclists may choose to ride in the lane. Cyclists:

Hairsplitting aside, we are singing from the same song sheet.

They also mention some signage, but not the stuff pictured above.

I (in true lazy Rantwick fashion) had neglected to come through on my idea to suggest sharrows in the roundabout, but now I'm gonna direct some city folks to both of my roundabout posts in the hopes of achieving a little more clarity.

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

How To Bicycle On A Roundabout

On rare occasion, I find that I want to write seriously about something that may prove useful to others. I know, it freaks me out too. Anyway, here we go:

London Ontario built its first roundabout a while ago, at the intersection of Hale and Trafalgar. I think it has quite handily dealt with the railway crossing and traffic tie-ups that used to characterize that spot. Here's a picture!

source: Google Maps

I recently saw a cyclist (sorry, no video) riding to the right of traffic in this circle. They got through OK, but I sure don't want to see it again. As I see it, roundabouts are characterized by one main thing: everybody keeps moving. For the cyclist to the right of traffic, this means that they are, in effect, intentionally riding in a right hook machine.

The cars in the circle are under constant pressure from behind to keep moving and exit to the right as soon as possible.

When you commit to really taking the lane, roundabouts work great!

One thing about roundabouts is that they're super if you're in or on a vehicle. They are not much fun for pedestrians. If you are uncomfortable taking the lane on your bike, I get that. Get off and walk it for roundabouts. I'm thinking, though, that a busy roundabout is more stressful that way than my way. If you can make an exception and at least take the lane in roundabouts, that would rock. You might even start thinking about other places or situations where doing it makes things better for everyone.

One last thing: Most of the time I can take or leave sharrows unless of course they are of the pirate variety:

In the case of roundabouts, however, a bunch of normal sharrows smack in the lane would be a great cue telling cyclists where they ought to be. I might even ask the City to do it, which would be quite out of character for me; I am typically a rather lame excuse for an invested citizen.  

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

PS - Did you know that "Although the term roundabout is sometimes used for a traffic circle even in the United States, U.S. traffic engineers now make the distinction that in a roundabout entering traffic must always yield to traffic already in the circle, whereas in a traffic circle entering traffic is controlled by Stop signs, or is not formally controlled, although some states are exceptions, notably New York, which follows the "yield" rule although naming them Traffic Circles."? (source, wikipedia) I didn't!

Mighk was good enough to let me know in the very first comment and I have corrected the post accordingly, taking out most mentions of "traffic circles". Thanks Mighk! When I give out bad information I want it to be intentional, dammit!

Hey, City of London Department of Transportation Planning and Design! You ^%$**@n' Rock!

Remember how I wasn't too crazy about the signs at the Hale and Trafalgar roundabout? (that post here)

I sent email to several of the people who work in Transportation Planning and Design for the City right when I wrote that post on May 2nd.

I took the roundabout only two times since then, one of them being last Thursday morning. Look what I saw!

 

 

 

 

 

not the actual sign, but identical. pic source

 

I just wanted to thank whoever was kind enough to pay attention to my email and posts. 2 weeks? It got changed in 2 weeks? In municipal government terms, that is outstanding. It almost makes me wonder if I'm not the original cause of the sign change.

In any case, I'm really happy with my City's transportation planners right now. People in positions like theirs are often inundated with requests and general whinings about this and that, I'm sure. Some of us (myself included) are often quick to criticize and slow to praise... this post is about my being as quick to praise as I was to complain. Well done, City planners!

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

D & R & Life's Rich Pageant

Here in London Ontario there are two abbreviations or euphemisms for intersections that I know of. The more fun (and delicious) one is "Ham & Eggs", the intersection of Hamilton Road and Egerton Street. This intersection, more than any other I can think of in this fair city, is a PERFECT candidate for a roundabout if the City could get enough space. It is a signalized nightmare where 3 fairly major streets converge:

 

 

If you live in a city, it's a good bet that you've got something similar. I felt obligated to mention Ham & Eggs because of its awesome name, but Ham & Eggs didn't inspire this post. D&R did.

 

Dundas and Richmond streets intersect in what most Londoners would consider the heart of Downtown. Some people avoid D&R if they can. Others love it, at least in part for the variety of characters you'll find there. I am one of these. When I see odd stuff and people, I'm reminded of the REM album title "Life's Rich Pageant". REM didn't coin the phrase, but they did introduce it to me. I enjoy the pageant. Very much. Like yesterday...

 

 

 

Wishing you weekend bongos and real chipmunks, I remain,

R A N T W I C K