What to do with this roundabout

[blekione]

Hi all. This is my 1st post here. Hope someone can help me

Today morning I had 5th accident in 2 months at same roundabout. Luckily nothing serious happened so far, but today after accident I have to change back wheel because is damage. I don't know what I suppose to do with this situation. Since I start commute to work on my bike I'm thinking about car drivers as potential killers even if I use car as well. Once, about moth ago, being hit by car I contact police and they told me if nothing happened to me (I'm not injured), they cant do nothing with that and if I want I can go to court with that driver. But is there point to go to court if there was no damage to me or my bike?

I'm seriously thinking to just give up with bike. I use it just to exercise a bit and takes me 15min to travel from home to work. But is it worth to risk my life for it?

Honestly I don't know what to do. Any advices are apreciate.

 

[I like Skol]

Wow! 5 accidents at the same spot in only 2 months then there is definitely something wrong. I am not criticising you but I suspect it is you that is getting it wrong, if you can give more details about what is happening and where it is the helpful people on this forum might be able to give you some good advice.

Meanwhile there are some things that come to mind that will help you to keep safe.

1. Change your route to avoid the problem roundabout all together.
2. Get off your bike when you get near the roundabout and walk around it on the pavement or verge.
3. Make sure you are aware of the 'correct procedure' for crossing a roundabout. You have to give way to vehicles already on the roundabout coming from your right. It is best to sit in the middle of the lane as you approach the roundabout, do not filter alongside or between the queueing traffic as they might not see you or expect you. If you sit in the place a car would occupy they should see you in their rear view mirror or directly in front of their bonnet.
4. Talk to an experienced cyclist or driver. If you have a friend or colleague who would spare some time and visit the location they might be able to say where you are going wrong or suggest a way to cross the roundabout safely.

Don't feel that all drivers are out to get you. The majority are not, but it does help to have a healthy level of mistrust and this will help keep you safe.

Like I said at first, more details of what is happening and where this is will bring more helpful specific advice.

EDIT: I meant to suggest reading a copy of the highway code as there is some worthwhile cyclist info in there or as said below, a lot of people swear by Cyclecraft.

 

[marshmella]

Hi and sorry to hear about your recent accidentsjust to add to what the poster above says. you might find it beneficial to get some cycle training with something like Bikeability and get yourself a copy of Cyclecraft its still a very useful book for new cyclists.

 

[helston90]

Can you upload some links to google maps showing where/ how/ what and how you've been approaching it? that way we can help a bit more?

 

[ManiaMuse]

Where are the incidents happening? On the approach, while joining the roundabout, while circulating or when exciting the roundabout?

 

[Peteaud]

Can you upload some links to google maps showing where/ how/ what and how you've been approaching it? that way we can help a bit more?

A pic or as above link to google map.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Since I start commute to work on my bike I'm thinking about car drivers as potential killers even if I use car as well.

This is a very good view to take, my father told me this when I first started driving cars & riding motorbikes nearly 40 years ago.

But back to the original query, 5 accidents in 2 months, it would appear you are getting yourself into a wrong position, post a link to the Google satellite image showing where you come on & go off. Dares't I suggest you are riding all the way around the outside of the roundabout even when you are turning right & getting cut up by a car leaving the roundabout earlier than you, what did the drivers of the cars say, where did they 'think' you were going.

Alan...

 

[CopperBrompton]

If you can tell us where this roundabout is, there will likely be a local CycleChatter who would offer to come and watch how you cycle it and give some feedback.

 

[dave2041]

Wait a bit before the roundabout if you see many cyclists that use it you could ask them for advice?

 

[blekione]

Ok here is situation
Roundabout from google maps
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cr4 1bg&hl=en&ll=51.398282,-0.158916&spn=0.003287,0.009345&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.176059,76.552734&hnear=Mitcham CR4 1BG, United Kingdom&t=m&z=17
And here is my little drawing which, I hope, explain where is the problem


I approach from carshalton rd and turn off from roundabout into road marked with green and blue arrows. On beggining I used bike patch (green arrow which looks on picture blackish) but I was hited 4 times by cars turned off into second junction in place marked with red cross. So I changed my strategy and now I'm using blue arrow path. And today was first time I was hit by car in this place, but few weeks ago I was nearly hit there as well. I'm always showing with my hand if I will be turn or go ahead.
For me there are 2 problems and they are car drivers problems:
1. Is early morning after 6am and pp:
a) in rush to work
b) just woke up
so they are not enough concentrated
2. They dont pay attention on cyclist

Hope this cleared a bit my situation and thank you for all answers

 

[ianrauk]

I know this roundabout well.
The thing is taking the blue line, motorists are not expecting you to turn into Cedars Avenue as it's a one way street approaching the roundabout with a cycle contraflow which they can't see. Using your Blue line approach motorists would be expecting you continue back round to Croydon Road.

How I would approach it is stick to the left hand lane in primary. (rather then using the cycle lane/secondary) Moving onto the roundabout when it's clear of traffic from the right. On the way round make clear eyeball with any approaching motorist from the left. Indicating clearly a left turn onto the pavement and if needed point to anyone who is encroaching from the left hand lane.

 

[Svendo]

Had a good look on google and streetview and that looks like a pig to get round safely. Bike lane is useless, as your 4 crashes demonstrate. Normally the line round should be ok. However you seem to have then been hit by a driver probably concentrating on giving way to the right but forgetting to also not crash into traffic already on the roundabout, based on where the cross is?

I'd suggest that once your confident the cars coming from behind and going onto Commonside Way are clear of you and that you've made eye contact with cars approaching from Commonside Way, to move across to the bike lane side of the lane.
Ideally be there by the time your at the 12-12.30 position, so your less likely to be hit from behind as in accident 5. The roundabout does look very tight though, so this may be a difficult line to take in practice.

 

[fossyant]

I'd go with what Ian says as he knows the layout.

My questions ?

Male/female, and I'd ask bike type and your usual pace (speed) and more importantly, experience as this can be a huge factor on positioning. - We can advise differently !

I have a colleague that's older than me, been riding longer than I have, but won't commute, and in traffic, doesn't know how I do it, but we've all got battle scars.

Ian's response is great as he knows the junction.

 

[Matthew_T]

That looks like a bugger of a RAB. The only thing I would suggest is just negotiating around the traffic (which might involve some swerving) and being very visual (looking around constantly and signalling clearly left when you have passed the exit onto the A236.

Either that or you could ride up the A236 and then turn around at a suitable place on Madeira Road. You will then be able to turn right back onto the A236 and negotiate the roundabout better.

Or of course you could get off and walk the short way around.

To conclude, that looks like a real problem junction and if the incidents you are having are that severe, then I would probably take a diverted route. (Possibly down the A236 and the up Commonside East and rejoin the route?)

 

[PK99]

Ok here is situation
Roundabout from google maps
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cr4 1bg&hl=en&ll=51.398282,-0.158916&spn=0.003287,0.009345&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.176059,76.552734&hnear=Mitcham CR4 1BG, United Kingdom&t=m&z=17
And here is my little drawing which, I hope, explain where is the problem


I approach from carshalton rd and turn off from roundabout into road marked with green and blue arrows. On beggining I used bike patch (green arrow which looks on picture blackish) but I was hited 4 times by cars turned off into second junction in place marked with red cross. So I changed my strategy and now I'm using blue arrow path. And today was first time I was hit by car in this place, but few weeks ago I was nearly hit there as well. I'm always showing with my hand if I will be turn or go ahead.
For me there are 2 problems and they are car drivers problems:
1. Is early morning after 6am and pp:
a) in rush to work
b) just woke up
so they are not enough concentrated
2. They dont pay attention on cyclist

Hope this cleared a bit my situation and thank you for all answers

my approach to roundabouts is to follow the same lane as i would in a car in the middle of the lane - unless i am taking the first exit when i might stick to the LHS

From your picture:
most drivers would read your green line as intending to take the first exit, unless you ar indicating a strong right, but even then you are asking for problems
similarly your blue line is crossing lanes where drivers would not expect a vehicle to cross

On that Roundabout -which i know well - my line for your route would be centre of the LH lane indicating RIGHT untill across the first exit then indicating LEFT