What exactly is the law on this.

[Dangermouse]

We had enjoyed a good ride out today, but when we were coming back into town got an irate driver, who was very lucky he didn't stop, we had two roundabouts to go through, 50m apart, the left lane was to go into a shopping area, the right lane was for straight ahead, and we needed to go straight ahead.

We got to the first roundabout and there was no traffic behind us, I told Eileen to stay at my side and as soon as we got past the second, she had to cut in behind me, so we had rode side by side for the 50m from one roundabout to the other, some cars had now driven up behind us but didn't mind us being in that lane, yet one nobber a few cars back decided he wasn't waiting and went into the filter lane to go into the shopping centre, but instead, turned into our lane at the last minute, cutting us up, I did try to get to a door "honest" but he didn't stop otherwise he would now be pricing up getting it fixed, now what exactly is the law, do we ride in the wrong lane to let traffic past, or do we ride in the white line hoping we don't get a hit from either lane OR did we do right by slowing the couple of cars for a few seconds.

Here's a quick layout

 

[I like Skol]

You did the right thing and he is an inbred n*bber. Unfortunately there is never an (interested) copper around when this sort of thing happens.

 

[User6179]

Im sure the highway code says bikes can stay in the left lane on roundabouts even when going right.

 

[ianrauk]

You did exactly the right thing.
The driver was acting like a farktard.

 

[Cycleops]

Difficult to say. I would have done what you did otherwise you might get into trouble when you get to the second roundabout with cars wanting to go left in the filter lane and you needing to go straight. As for the law I don't know, apart from the law of common sense which you friend didn't seem to have much of, or patience for that matter. If there had been an accident plod would maybe charged him "without due care and attention".

 

[User33236]

Im sure the highway code says bikes can stay in the left lane on roundabouts even when going right.

A cyclist can stay in the left lane but it doesn't mean you have to. I would have approached the roundabout in the same way DM did.

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.

 

[Dangermouse]

Just had a look at the highway code, we were correct, for going straight on or turning right..........total plank

 

[Venod]

Don't know about the law on this, but can't see anything wrong with your actions, I ride a similar road( rode it today) even though I am going straight on as you were I stay in the left turn lane, it just feels safer, you probably know it the A645 from the town end traffic lights to the hospital roundabout (Pontefract)

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.6898011,-1.3118006,284m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

[Dangermouse]

Don't know about the law on this, but can't see anything wrong with your actions, I ride a similar road( rode it today) even though I am going straight on as you were I stay in the left turn lane, it just feels safer, you probably know it the A645 from the town end traffic lights to the hospital roundabout (Pontefract)

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.6898011,-1.3118006,284m/data=!3m1!1e3

I know that road very well, Fev knottiningley rd...........used to be an office furniture manufacturer on the roundabout, where the car wash is........I used to work there a few years ago.......well more like over 10 lol...........
but yes I know that roundabout, left to go into town near the Buttercross or straight on to follow the bus route into town

 

[vickster]

You were in the correct lane for going straight on, he was a tit

 

[User6179]

A cyclist can stay in the left lane but it doesn't mean you have to. I would have approached the roundabout in the same way DM did.

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.

If the left lanes is clear then no point sitting in the right lane ( have done this myself in the past ) as it is safer in the left lane but it does not excuse the nobber in the car.

 

[Dangermouse]

Thanks all..........just needed to make sure we did no wrong, I knew we were right, but needed to hear it.

 

[Julia9054]

I have a similar situation on my way to work. The difference is that the first roundabout, in my case, is a set of traffic lights. There is about 300m between the traffic lights and the roundabout. I always make sure that I am in the rh lane by the time I am at the traffic lights and then pedal as fast as I can in primary in the rh hand lane up to the roundabout. I have experienced enough times cars overtaking me on roundabouts - something I would never do when driving - to know that if I entered the roundabout in the left hand lane intending to go straight on, it would only be a matter of time before a car tried to overtake and turn left assuming I was also turning left and I ended up under its wheels.
Most cars are happy to stay behind me in the rh lane - it's only 300m after all and I can get up to 20mph in a short burst quite quickly so I'm not holding them up much. Some overtake me on the inside lane and then cut in in front. It's up to them.

 

[User6179]

I have a similar situation on my way to work. The difference is that the first roundabout, in my case, is a set of traffic lights. There is about 300m between the traffic lights and the roundabout. I always make sure that I am in the rh lane by the time I am at the traffic lights and then pedal as fast as I can in primary in the rh hand lane up to the roundabout. I have experienced enough times cars overtaking me on roundabouts - something I would never do when driving - to know that if I entered the roundabout in the left hand lane intending to go straight on, it would only be a matter of time before a car tried to overtake and turn left assuming I was also turning left and I ended up under its wheels.
Most cars are happy to stay behind me in the rh lane - it's only 300m after all and I can get up to 20mph in a short burst quite quickly so I'm not holding them up much. Some overtake me on the inside lane and then cut in in front. It's up to them.

Suppose it would depend on the roundabout but if the left lane is busy you would just stay in the right lane anyway only going into the left when all the traffic is in the right lane .

I have a roundabout near me and you cant win whatever lane you take , when I take the right hand lane to go right I get undertook from cars coming from the junction to my left and end up stuck in the middle of the RAB and if I take the left lane I get stuck at the off junction for the motorway by cars going straight on

BTW watch out for drivers in the left lane going straight on , had that a few times

 

[Andy_R]

If the left lanes is clear then no point sitting in the right lane ( have done this myself in the past ) as it is safer in the left lane but it does not excuse the nobber in the car.

Have to disagree, becasue you are taking yourself out of the traffic flow and then have to attempt to rejoin it. Much safer to stay in the traffic flow - only a tiny minority are nobbers after all.