I've been cycling regularly since the mid-'90s, but over the last couple of years I've noticed a big increase in near-misses on roundabouts. What happens is that I am on the roundabout and a vehicle will approach from the left and pull straight out.
Sometimes the vehicle cuts straight across in front of me which is scary enough... but the real terrors are the ones who pull onto the roundabout when I'm directly in front of them. Two incidents etched into my memory were a Volvo packed with people that came along a dual carriageway and entered the roundabout. I was about to be mown down, so I yanked the bike hard 90 degrees to the right and thankfully the car emergency stopped just behind me.
The other occasion was exactly the same scenario, with a car approaching fast from the left and this time the driver's head was turned facing the passenger. I knew what was going to happen - sure enough he made no attempt to check to his right, and pulled straight out. I braked and dived for the central island to avoid him. I remember the frowning expression on his face as he turned to look at me - what are you doing there...?
Unfortunately, despite my best evasive manoeuvres, I was hit by a Volvo on Monday night. It was the same situation. I was aware of the car being very close - headlights/ engine noise, so I put a huge effort into trying to get clear - but it wasn't enough and I felt contact through the rear wheel. A split-second later I was in the air and was thrown around 10 feet. I landed really hard on my right side, in the same place where I broke my hip 2 years ago. I somehow broke the fall to some extent by getting both hands to the floor to stop my head hitting the road.
My bright lights were still flashing away, but clearly they had been ineffective - the driver for whatever reason had not seen me... I moved slightly expecting a wave of pain, but there was none - just a stiffness and aching. I stood up and was amazed that my hip felt normal (I had been told that another impact on my repaired hip would mean a hip replacement). I can only put this down to the armoured undershorts I had decided to put on earlier - they had soaked up the full force
Pain did slowly arrive in my left wrist which I think I've fractured - a preliminary X ray was inconclusive, but apparently the next X ray in a couple of days will show for certain. I wouldn't want anyone to go through this experience, so please be extra vigilant at all junctions / roundabouts. Fit more / better lights, and I would say definitely look into padded shorts - they needn't be heavy (mine are very light).
I don't know what the answer is for drivers who don't pay attention - maybe the swift introduction of compulsory automatic braking systems that sense impending collisions.
Safe riding everyone.
Sometimes the vehicle cuts straight across in front of me which is scary enough... but the real terrors are the ones who pull onto the roundabout when I'm directly in front of them. Two incidents etched into my memory were a Volvo packed with people that came along a dual carriageway and entered the roundabout. I was about to be mown down, so I yanked the bike hard 90 degrees to the right and thankfully the car emergency stopped just behind me.
The other occasion was exactly the same scenario, with a car approaching fast from the left and this time the driver's head was turned facing the passenger. I knew what was going to happen - sure enough he made no attempt to check to his right, and pulled straight out. I braked and dived for the central island to avoid him. I remember the frowning expression on his face as he turned to look at me - what are you doing there...?
Unfortunately, despite my best evasive manoeuvres, I was hit by a Volvo on Monday night. It was the same situation. I was aware of the car being very close - headlights/ engine noise, so I put a huge effort into trying to get clear - but it wasn't enough and I felt contact through the rear wheel. A split-second later I was in the air and was thrown around 10 feet. I landed really hard on my right side, in the same place where I broke my hip 2 years ago. I somehow broke the fall to some extent by getting both hands to the floor to stop my head hitting the road.
My bright lights were still flashing away, but clearly they had been ineffective - the driver for whatever reason had not seen me... I moved slightly expecting a wave of pain, but there was none - just a stiffness and aching. I stood up and was amazed that my hip felt normal (I had been told that another impact on my repaired hip would mean a hip replacement). I can only put this down to the armoured undershorts I had decided to put on earlier - they had soaked up the full force

Pain did slowly arrive in my left wrist which I think I've fractured - a preliminary X ray was inconclusive, but apparently the next X ray in a couple of days will show for certain. I wouldn't want anyone to go through this experience, so please be extra vigilant at all junctions / roundabouts. Fit more / better lights, and I would say definitely look into padded shorts - they needn't be heavy (mine are very light).
I don't know what the answer is for drivers who don't pay attention - maybe the swift introduction of compulsory automatic braking systems that sense impending collisions.
Safe riding everyone.