Roundabouts

[lesley_x]

I just wanted to check with you guys as I've read conflicting advice and have started doing a kind of half commute to work once a week or so.

If you're approaching a roundabout (the one I'm thinking of is on a 60mph dual carriageway) and the left hand lane is marked for going left only, and the right hand lane is for straight on, would you pull out into the 60mph traffic to take the right hand lane or stick in the left hand lane and go straight on?

As I say I've read advice supporting both ways of tackling a roundabout like that, but would be useful to get some feedback.

Cheers

 

[robjh]

It's very hard to reply without knowing the roundabout, and the way and speed car drivers tend to approach it, but as a general rule, I would move out when safe, either to occupy the centre of the left-turning lane (but go straight on), or the left-hand edge of the straight-on lane. But what is safe will depend very much on the above factors. Either way it means moving out into the line of traffic at some point, because you don't want to be hugging the edge of the road when fast traffic will interpret that as going left and cut you up.

 

[musa]

Take the middle of the left lane so that when you approach the exit of the 1st exit your into strong secondary

 

[HLaB]

My preference on the face of it is for the right hand (straight ahead) lane but conditions may not facilitate it. if you use the left lane you have to be vary of folk overtaking at the entry to the roundabout straight ahead lane only to swipe left accross your path.

 

[martint235]

It depends at what point the left hand lane becomes left hand turn only. I would normally switch to the right hand lane at that point. To me the general rule is do what you'd do in a car.

 

[nilling]

I have such a roundabout on my commute. The vast majority of vehicles are going straight on and are in the right hand lane. I cycle in the Primary of the left lane and as I enter the roundabout I point down to my right. Not had any probs so far. My traffic is pretty slow during my commute not sure I'd advocate this for very fast flowing traffic.

 

[gavroche]

follow the arrow to where you want to go, in your case, the right hand lane but stay on left hand side of that lane. As soon as you leave exit on left, arm signal to left to confirm your exit straight ahead and move to left hand side. Hope it makes sense.

 

[ohnovino]

I'd probably take a strong position in the left lane, and stick my right arm out as I pass the first exit so it's clear I'm staying on the roundabout.

Whatever you do, don't end up lane-splitting on a roundabout or you'll be the meat in a car sandwich.

 

[Markymark]

Whatever you do, signal your intentions clearly and shoulder check regularly.

 

[TheSpence]

To me the general rule is do what you'd do in a car.

I second this.

 

[Born2die]

I second this.

I third this

 

[400bhp]

Google link please.

 

[crazyjoe101]

As per the advice above, whichever lane you're in make sure you know what's behind and beside you and that you're dominating your lane. Indicate as clearly and as much as is safe.

 

[nappadang]

Been facing this dilemma myself. I'm glad someone else more eloquent than me posed the question.

 

[Matthew_T]

I have a roundabout like that near me. The left lane is for turning left only and the right lane is for going straight on and turning right. I always see people ignoring the road markings though and going straight on in the left lane. Makes for a lot of beeping from other cars. Tomorrow I will do a little 'How to' video of the junction and how I would tackle it.