roundabouts

[neeeel]

I just sat my cbt, passed it but the instructor wasnt very happy with how i handled the roundabouts, said i was very dangerous, seemingly my road position wasnt very good. Anyway, my question is, how do you do roundabouts. If you want the first exit on the left then i guess its easy, u stay to left of the entrance, turn left into the roundabout, indicate left, then take the exit( with appropriate head checks).
What if you want the last exit? are you supposed to take the inside lane of the roundabout, which would involve cutting across 2 lanes, on entrance and exit? do you have right of way to leave the roundabout, if there are cars on your inside and you want to go across and take an exit?
thanks

[Kickstart]

Hi

Yes if turning right you do go onto the roundabout in the right hand lane. You should not assume right of way when coming off the roundabout (but really there should not be anyone there if they have given way going onto the roundabout, if you find someone there then just go round again).

Turning right using the lane on the very outside of a roundabout is pretty lethal.

All the best

Keith
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[0ddball]

You have to take every roundabout on it's own merits. Which i why i found it odd on the cbt and the test when i was supposed to know which lane to be in long before reaching the roundabout. In real life riding it's just not like that. Especially when riding in an unfamiliar area and you come to a complicated one with 5 or 6 exits, you have to figure it out quickly on the approach.

Standard 4 exit ones are easy. For turning left or going straight on the safest way is to stay in the left hand lane.

For turning right you aproach in the right hand lane indicating right, stay in lane until you've passed the 2nd exit (straight ahead) still indicating right, then just after the 2nd exit indicate left and do a left shoulder check. If all is clear you take the 3rd exit. It does mean cutting across a lane but hopefully if you time everything right it will be clear. If not don't just stop or turn off regardless and hope for the best, indicate right and go around the roundabout again.

It is something that is very easy with experience but is daunting when learning. It's one of the few times where you are really on your own. Because it can all go pear shaped in a split second before the instructor even has chance to warn you.

[neeeel]

ok sounds good
what if you are waiting to get onto the roundabout, and your going to take the first left, a car comes round in the right hand lane, then you go onto the roundabout in the left hand lane, then the car signals that it wants to take the same exit as you do? I suppose you just have to be aware of things like that , and let him go in front of u?

oh yeah, and if you are going to take the right hand lane of the roundabout, do you stay to the right of the entrance to the roundabout?

[0ddball]

He should be indicating to let you know but don't count on it. What you describe is probably the most common cause of accidents on roundabouts.

Without being too hesitant, it's best to wait untill you have a fairly big space to join. Then when there is a space don't dawdle, just nail it. You often have to be quite agressive at rush hour or you'll be sat there for ages.

[Kickstart]

[10 pence Short]

Just a thought but if your instructor thought you were "Very Dangerous" on roundabouts, you shouldn't of really passed your CBT?

Everybody gets better with practice, so practice!
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[neeeel]

i agree, i said are u sure u want to pass me?

as soon as i get my bike on the road :S I will be practicing and will hopefully get more confident

[Fadel]

[Andy levitt]

i didnt like roundabouts too when i took my CBT as we didnt even cover them probly meanin i didnt kno what do when i was on the road u just have to give them pratice like i did now im fully conifent at them made afew mistake before on them but we all do

[purple_peril_67]

I was told to view roundabouts like the face of a clock. Basically the idea is, if your exit is between 6 and 12 you need to approach in a left hand lane, similarly if your exit is after 12 you need to stay in the righthand lane, using the appropriate lane on the roundabout until you reach your exit...then it's the usual OSM-PSL routine and a lifesaver for gits coming up on your left who have completely ignored the rules of the road

[krebsy]

What with living in Milton Keynes, we know a few things about roundabouts here...

Ok, using a standard 4 exit roundabout as an example:

left turn:

approach in left hand lane, Mirror, signal left, left lifesaver, move into left of lane, Check roundabout is clear (stopping if needs be). When clear, Left lifesaver to make sure no-one is stepping off the kerb into you, exit roundabout, mirror check, right lifesaver (to make sure no one is trying to cut in from that side), cancel signal, ride on.

Straight on:

Approach in correct lane as indicated for multiple lane roundabouts or in the centre of the lane for single. once clear, Right lifesaver to check no-one is cuttig in and head onto roundabout maintaining lane position (i.e. not cutting across the lanes) then signal left once you have passed the first exit. L+R lifesavers and take the exit, R-Lifesaver on exit and cancel signal etc.

Turning right:

Mirror, signal, right lifesaver on approach and move to right of lane, keep right signal on. When clear, move onto roundabout, Left check to watch out for the cager in the left lane cutting across your lane (too lazy to steer and hold their lane). As you turn right past the exits, do right hand mirror check to see what is behind you and a left hand lifesaver check to see if the lane is clear. Once you are passing the exit prior to the one you want then signal left, right mirror check, left life saver THEN move left if clear into the left lane (failed one test for doing mirror, lifesaver, signal and move all in one go...). Keep signalling left, left LS again on exit and R-mirror/ Lifesaver to make sure it is clear and no-one is trying to cut in. once you are off the Roundabout then Right check (just in case), cancel signal and get on your way...

Any issues when going round that could prevent you moving into the exit lane? Then go round again...

Keep in mind that there are lanes on roundabouts so always stick to the correct lane, don't cut across into the inside or out to the outside unnecessarily and on most BIG roundabouts with filter lanes you should be able to go with the flow and move into the correct lane smoothly without cutting in. Plan ahead, know what exit you want and how you plan to get to it before entering.

K.
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[celliott]

Youre not the only one . Ive just passed my CBT and im not great with roundabouts either, but really the more you ride the easier things will become. After all you only learn by doing things.

[map]

I'm sure this is just repeating stuff above, but nevertheless...

If roundabout is on a dual or has 2 lanes approach then for right turn bike in right hand lane. Otherwise stay to the right of the centre of your single lane. Mirror and indicate right on approach. Before entering roundabout a lifesaver to the LEFT (for anyone cutting up the inside). Enter roundabout, go round, mirror & indicate left as just past last exit before one being taken (so vehicles entering via that exit can see you'll be cutting across). Lifesaver left and exit. Position is centre of lane.

The above also applies for those 'straight on' exits that are after the straight up position (12 noon) on the roadsign, as in effect it is a right.

HTH
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[tree1]

[tree1]

Which cars are coming from which exit and leaving where is too much to take in when you're learning and putting all your efforts into stopping at the white line and not stalling, but once you've mastered all of that the attention you're able to pay to the road, without even thinking about it, is pretty amazing.

[stevo as b4]

Whats peoples views on straight lining a roundabout that has one or even 2 lanes, if your approaching, but want to go straight on? Obviously you cannot cut across traffic on the roundabout, or traffic that is joining, but if the roundabout is clear, i think that on a motorcycle the straightline through the middle is the safest way, as we all know about nasty things that get spilt on roundabouts, and if you can keep the bike as upright as possible should you run over a patch of spilt deisel/oil etc, you much less likely to fall off. Also straightlining the roundabout lets you go a bit quicker, and accelerate a bit harder without the fear of a slide.

[krebsy]

Straight-lining may be "safer" and we all do it if the roundabout is clear but it is still technically "wrong" as it's needless lane changing etc.

K.
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[Yoshi]

[NSR Mick]

[Lawnie]

I should add that what has been said so far assumes that road markings do not direct you otherwise. For example, the left lane may used just for turning left (first exit).

Also, if you ever need to use a roundabout (including mini-roundabouts) for turning around in the road (that is, so you go all the way round), then pay attention to others waiting to come on to the roundabout. 99% of the time they will not be expecting you to do that, even though your signal/position tells them otherwise. They will then proceed to come onto the roundabout, having a near miss with you, and most of the time will then give you a dodgy look as if you have just performed an illegal manoeuvre.

[lumphammer]