Roundabouts etc

[Phixion]

Without trying sounding stupid... How should I be negotiating roundabouts? I've only just got back into cycling again and I'm worried that what I'm doing is wrong.

I tend to stick to the outside lane nearer the curb regardless of which exit I'm taking, reason for this is I was taught to do that as a kid... Although it seems wrong as I'm always checking for cars coming behind that are also coming off at my exit wanting to cut me up.

Also mini roundabouts can be quite scary, I hear cars coming behind, and some of these roundabouts are quite narrow, should I "claim" the lane and ride in the center of the road to make sure cars don't try and overtake me on the roundabout?

What about overtaking cars? I know you should always overtake on the right hand side, I've seen helmet cams of people doing both inside and outside overtaking.

And one more thing, I've noticed road bikes give quite a harsh ride (_|_) (ouch), I'm quite wary going over drains so I dodge them, same for potholes, not just for comfort but fear of my wheel collapsing or slipping into the drain and throwing me over the handlebars. Do you guys tend to ride further out from curb? Or do you ride close and when safe dodge these obstacles?

I'm pleased to say that my backside is hurting less today than it was yesterday and I'm only 2 days in... I thought it was going to be hell today. I'm taking it slow doing maybe 2-3 very short rides per day, like 10-20 mins a time, but it's nice to feel pain in my legs rather than my butt - which was stopping me from riding yesterday.

Cheers!

 

[Smokin Joe]

I take roundabouts exactly the same way on a bike as I do in a car, R/H lane to turn right etc. Make yourself big, signal clearly and you will make room for yourself.

Overtaking on the left is at your peril, drivers will not often be checking that side and you need to be fully aware that a vehicle may squeeze you in. Overtaking trucks on the nearside is asking for it, they can't see you at all.

 

[summerdays]

As above - take the roundabout in the centre of your lane - apart from anything it's actually a shorter way around the roundabout than going around the outside with it's associated dangers of car's not noticing you so pulling out, or cutting across you to get to their exit (though the Highway code does say it is one way of doing it - I wouldn't say it was the safest). At mini roundabouts then middle of the lane again though it can depend on the size of the mini roundabout, amount of traffic and layout to the exact path I take at it.

 

[Hydra]

I tend to stick to the outside lane nearer the curb regardless of which exit I'm taking, reason for this is I was taught to do that as a kid... Although it seems wrong as I'm always checking for cars coming behind that are also coming off at my exit wanting to cut me up.

As said above, negotiate roundabouts the same way as you would in a car. For example, I regularly ride around THIS roundabout. I need the right-most exit, so I position myself in the center of the right hand entry lane and follow it through to the exit, making sure I'm obvious using eye contact and hand signals. I'd assume this applies to mini-roundabouts as well, but I've never come across one.

What about overtaking cars? I know you should always overtake on the right hand side, I've seen helmet cams of people doing both inside and outside overtaking.

Depends. Filtering (making your way through slow-ish traffic) is just about getting ahead, be it on the inside or outside. To be safe, though, it's best to just sit and wait with the traffic or go on the outside. Going on the inside can be risky. NEVER go up the inside of a large vehicle (lorry, bus etc). It may seem obvious, but some people just don't see the danger.

And one more thing, I've noticed road bikes give quite a harsh ride (_|_) (ouch), I'm quite wary going over drains so I dodge them, same for potholes, not just for comfort but fear of my wheel collapsing or slipping into the drain and throwing me over the handlebars. Do you guys tend to ride further out from curb? Or do you ride close and when safe dodge these obstacles?

It's a sensible idea not to ride in the gutter, not only to avoid grates and crappy road-holes, but you're also less likely to suffer an opportunistic overtake. Ride about a cycle lane's worth of width (secondary position) away from the curb to assert yourself on the road. You're more likely to avoid the worst bits of the road and discourage close overtakes.

It's all about BECOMING traffic, rather than avoiding it and pottling along in the gutter.




I hope that's all been of some help. Happy cycling!

 

[Mad at urage]

And one more thing, I've noticed road bikes give quite a harsh ride (_|_) (ouch), I'm quite wary going over drains so I dodge them, same for potholes, not just for comfort but fear of my wheel collapsing or slipping into the drain and throwing me over the handlebars. Do you guys tend to ride further out from curb? Or do you ride close and when safe dodge these obstacles?

The others dealt with the rest of the queries, leaving this unanswered.

Don't ride over drains or where your wheel could slip into the drain! Ride around potholes where possible (if not possible take some of your weight onto the pedals, this will use your legs as suspension).

Highway code recommends you should be riding about a metre from the kerb - Cyclecraft has this as 'secondary' - use Primary approaching roundabouts (i.e. further out) in the appropriate lane. Either position is well away from the drain and most potholes. Highway code tells drivers you are expected to be unable to maintain a straight line, particularly due to adverse wind conditions or poor road surface, so don't worry about that: Do however check where they are (look behind) whenever you have to make a deviation from your course (pothole or changing lanes/turning).

 

[Davidc]

What Smokin Joe says, and get hold of a copy of Cyclecraft. There's lots of good stuff in there about positioning.

I'll take on most roundabouts, but there are some which are too complex where I give up, get off, and walk, crossing each bit separately.

 

[HLaB]

Like said above take the centre of the lane at junctions/ pinch points that way you are more visible to drivers. Try getting hold of a copy of the book cyclecraft it has some good tips on positioning for the beginner.

The other advantage of riding further out like you've suggested, you avoid gulley etc. and it gives you more room to safely avoid the ones you do meet.

Overtaking/undertaking is a matter of judgement some times you need to alternate to make progress, but dont ever undertake a vehicle at a junction where they can turn left that poor/ potentially fatal judgement.

 

[Phixion]

Thanks guys, it seems I need to command the road rather than letting it command me

 

[Banjo]

Thanks guys, it seems I need to command the road rather than letting it command me

Get out early rather than late when you need to go into the right lane. Try to keep the speed up if possible
.You have to be carefull but dont be intimidated.

 

[supercooper]

just remember u have as much rite as cars vans ect good luck

 

[buggi]

yep... claim your lane ... get in the middle of the lane you would normally drive in. it makes it so much easier to get off at your exit.

 

[pepecat]

I make myself as big as possible on the road and if i need to occupy a lane to indicate i'm turning right, then i ride in the middle of it. Firstly, it stops other cars overtaking and pushing me out of the way and then having to cut right across the lane to make the turn (which would probably annoy drivers more). Secondly, i like to be seen by drivers, again so they don't cut me up, knock me off etc.

Saying all that, i don't cycle in the middle of the road all the time!! That would be daft!...... But i do cycle about a metre out from the kerb to avoid drains, gutters, the associated grit / stones / crap that accumulates against the kerb. Again, i feel it helps me been seen by drivers and on narrower roads stops them overtaking when its not appropriate.

 

[Sheepy1209]

With roundabouts, depending on their layout and dominant traffic flows each one can be a bit different - there's a mini-roundabout on my route where I have to ride straight across the white hump in the middle, otherwise cars overtake me by doing just that and then cut straight into my path on the exit - this is because the centre of the roundabout is slightly offset to the left.

There are some roundabouts where the dominant flow is SO dominant that many drivers hardly bother to look for anything taking an 'unusual' route - so if you're part of that flow there shouldn't be a problem, but if you might 'surprise' drivers it can be difficult to guarantee your own safety. On roundabouts like that there'll often be cycle paths which take you off the road and allow you to cross the exits - one of the few situations where I use cycle facilities which put my priority below cars.

Take each one as it comes - they're all different!

 

[Davidc]

One more point. If you keep a metre out from the kerb then when some fool only leaves you a micrometre between his van and your handlebars you can use the space to give yourself half a metre instead. It makes close overtakes much more manageable.