Roundabout tip

[winjim]

[QUOTE 3009435, member: 45"]https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/roundabouts-76-to-78
77
You may feel safer walking your cycle round on the pavement or verge. If you decide to ride round keeping to the left-hand lane you should

• be aware that drivers may not easily see you
• take extra care when cycling across exits. You may need to signal right to show you are not leaving the roundabout
• watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or join the roundabout.

https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/roundabouts-184-to-190
187
In all cases watch out for and give plenty of room to

• pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads
• traffic crossing in front of you on the roundabout, especially vehicles intending to leave by the next exit
• traffic which may be straddling lanes or positioned incorrectly
• motorcyclists
• cyclists and horse riders who may stay in the left-hand lane and signal right if they intend to continue round the roundabout. Allow them to do so
• long vehicles (including those towing trailers). These might have to take a different course or straddle lanes either approaching or on the roundabout because of their length. Watch out for their signals.

[/QUOTE]
Still not, I would suggest, a ringing endorsement of the practise. More a suggestion that if you are going to do it that way, be extra careful.

 

[mickle]

Always use the outside lane.

No.

 

[Profpointy]

[QUOTE 3009518, member: 45"]I think the point is that, while it might be best practice given our current road attitude to take the same line as motorised traffic, it's not wrong to ride around the nearside lane and road users should make room for the more vulnerable and less confident.

And let's face it, roundabout markings these days aren't the most helpfully instructive as many have double markings -those indicating the separate lanes and those guiding traffic eventually to the nearside.[/QUOTE]

On the roundabouts round here (Bristol) to cycle round the outside to turn right is most definitely "wrong". I recon you'd be run over in a fortnight !

 

[ianrauk]

On the roundabouts round here (Bristol) to cycle round the outside to turn right is most definitely "wrong". I recon you'd be run over in a fortnight !

That long?

 

[Profpointy]

That long?

Probably much less, but I was going for five-nines certainty here :-)

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Fortunately 9/10 roundabouts in Plymouth have traffic lights, so no need for this "advice".

But when I do have a rare roundabout free of lights, I take the lane appropriate to the highway code, such as third exit, secondary lane, and indicating my intentions as I go around.

 

[nappadang]

Thanks for your pearl of wisdom.

I have always found using the outside lane on a roundabout easier then using the inside lane.

On the inside lane if you want to switch to the outside lane to exit the roundabout you always find yourself blocked by a car.

Always use the outside lane.

If it's okay with you, I'll ignore it and opt for a more common sense approach, and like this.

"Always use the outside lane" is VERY BAD advice, but it depends on the roundabout and which direction you are going. On many roundabouts if you are turning right and are in the outside lane then cars will cut you up as they exit across you.

I treat a roundabout the same way I would in a car:
- left turn use the outside
- right turn use the inside
- straight on - depends on the roundabout and traffic, but generally outside lane

See Highway Code rules 76 to 78 and 184 to 190
https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/roundabouts-76-to-78
https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/roundabouts-184-to-190

And indicate what you are doing - especially if you are turning right or changing lanes.

Thanks all the same.

 

[Wobblers]

That long?

Brizzle must be a lot more civilised than London. Or Birmingham...

 

[summerdays]

Brizzle must be a lot more civilised than London. Or Birmingham...

Of course it is

My comment would be how you interpret the advice to go around the edge, if you do go around in the middle of the outside lane if you are going right, you need to keep your wits about you on a two lane RAB, and it would depend on the individual layout. If you interpret it as going around the very edge which I think is what the Highway Code means then I think that is suicidal!You put yourself where drivers waiting to join, or those on the RAB don't look. You also end up taking the longest path around the RAB, and have to watch out for those exiting across you. It would probably be quicker and safer to get off and walk.

Personally I want to be where drivers are looking, and in the correct lane if possible. Another option if you don't like the right turn would be to try arriving from a slightly different route which would make the RAB easier so that you only needed to go straight on for example. I have one that I sometimes go right at, or if lazy/too busy I go straight on and then take the next right which gets me to the same next RAB.

 

[ManiaMuse]

Roundabout tip #2:

If turning right, go anti-clockwise; it's shorter so you are not in danger for as long.

 

[Soup890]

Always make sure you are in the dominant position. When entering the roundabout do not move over to the side. Stay in the middle of the road/lane.

 

[Cold]

I just ride right over the top of them.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

You got that partly right, @Soup890 : you claim the lane, i.e. assume primary position, well before you enter the roundabout, and maintain this position until after you exit the roundabout.

 

[ayceejay]

A roundabout tip: if you kinda, you know, sorta like do not want to mn as it were - die you may want to possible ignore this advice.

 

[nappadang]

Roundabout tip #2:

If turning right, go anti-clockwise; it's shorter so you are not in danger for as long.

Brilliant and far more useful than op