Even better: a “Dutch roundabout” with protected cycle lanes.
For any north American panicking at the idea of a roundabout, come in France. In a week you’ll have seen more roundabouts than in your entire life in the US.
Are bikes presumed to have right of way or do both cars and bikes slow down and wave each other on? Or is the concept of slower moving vehicles not always having right of way a uniquely Yank phenomena?
In this particular example, bikes have right if way. There are also roundabouts where they don’t, or where cars have right of way, but I think it’s usually bikes.
Not shown here. Usually the pedestrian and cyclists crossing is elevated. Along with the tiny island that narrows the access to the roundabout, they act as a speed reduction measures. Both intentional. It makes the drivers go slower, paying more attention and the traffic flow gets smoother. Coincidentally this makes this roundabout faster overall, as it prevents sudden brakes and full stops. Most drivers are in and out without noticing since they’re too focused.
Why? It’s made specifically so that cyclists and pedestrians can be at an angle where it’s easy to see them from a car. Motorists have a better view of cyclists and pedestrians than in a + intersection.
They are rare here in Montreal but we have a few like this on Nun’s Island and they work fine without any traffic lights.
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Even better: a “Dutch roundabout” with protected cycle lanes.
For any north American panicking at the idea of a roundabout, come in France. In a week you’ll have seen more roundabouts than in your entire life in the US.
Are bikes presumed to have right of way or do both cars and bikes slow down and wave each other on? Or is the concept of slower moving vehicles not always having right of way a uniquely Yank phenomena?
In this particular example, bikes have right if way. There are also roundabouts where they don’t, or where cars have right of way, but I think it’s usually bikes.
If you take this example, you see a line indicating that cars should cede way to bikes.
That looks like a great way to get hit by a car
Not shown here. Usually the pedestrian and cyclists crossing is elevated. Along with the tiny island that narrows the access to the roundabout, they act as a speed reduction measures. Both intentional. It makes the drivers go slower, paying more attention and the traffic flow gets smoother. Coincidentally this makes this roundabout faster overall, as it prevents sudden brakes and full stops. Most drivers are in and out without noticing since they’re too focused.
Why? It’s made specifically so that cyclists and pedestrians can be at an angle where it’s easy to see them from a car. Motorists have a better view of cyclists and pedestrians than in a + intersection.
They are rare here in Montreal but we have a few like this on Nun’s Island and they work fine without any traffic lights.
Because cars will hit you if you cross their lane.
If you’re in their lane, they ride behind you and you don’t have to cross in front of them.