cthenn

I would agree they are better at multi-lane 4-way stops. Those are the scariest things in the world. But it's absolutely terrifying when I'm in a circle, and I see someone heading right at me when I'm turning left. It's too dangerous to stop in the circle with cars already in it, so you basically have to pray the guy screaming toward you actually sees you and stops.

caloso

I like them. They're more efficient and generally safer than intersections. But sadly, much like the metric system and universal healthcare, 'Mericans will never embrace an obviously superior system.

cthenn

Dang man, that sucks!

Shimagnolo

From the excellent book "Traffic" by Tom Vanderbilt: https://www.amazon.com/Traffic-Drive.../dp/0307277194
Roundabouts:
- Move more traffic than a traffic light.
- Have a fraction of the accidents.
- Have an even smaller fraction of serious injuries/fatalities.

An article on the topic by the author: American drivers should learn to love the roundabout.

cthenn

Well said. That's the problem, they rely on cooperation, and people all doing the right thing. But of course that cannot happen, as everyone's personality is different. That's why I also dislike them while in my own car. I usually end up behind someone too timid to merge into the roundabout, which ends up backing up the traffic more than it would with a different method of traffic control. This problem will persist until Americans are used to driving in them, which will take decades...

Shoebox

Apparently, Carmel, IN has over 100 roundabouts. I can't post a URL yet, but if you Google "Carmel Roundabouts Citylab" and read the story, the most interesting thing besides the accident reduction is that the city saves $5k per year/per intersection in electricity costs. Personally i like roundabouts because I don't have to wait for a light and cars & bikes are more or less going about the same speed through them.

Scarbo

Maybe not as long as one might think. We're apparently in the process of becoming GREAT again and I have faith that this will just be part of the general amelioration to come.

Scarbo

Wow--sorry this happened to you. Falling on your hip is spooky; I hope you feel well tomorrow.

Shimagnolo

The city of Superior replaced a traffic light with a roundabout at a busy T-intersection a few years ago.
There were some clueless drivers initially, but after a year I rarely saw any issues.

seau grateau

Roundabouts are the future of road cycling.

jon c. 

They've installed a few here in the last decade and they generally work pretty well. I take the lane throughout (waiting in line to enter as necessary) and can move close enough to traffic speed that they're no problem to negotiate. I do ride with a flashing front light and I find that pretty much eliminates people pulling out in front of me. Overall, I like them and they do move traffic a lot better than it had moved at those spots.

They're building a new one at an intersection that also includes the start of a rail trail the runs about 20 miles down to the gulf. It will be interesting to see how they incorporate that.

lyrictenor1

Agreed!!

wipekitty

In July, we got a roundabout a few blocks from my house. I thought it would be awful, but I love it! It's made my short (bike) commute faster and easier, as it eliminates an awkward merge or significant wait to cross a moderately busy street.

The roundabout is a single lane, and taking the lane is not a problem (I can go faster than the cars can). The only issues I've had are with what I call the "squeeze", where a car attempts to overtake me where the lane narrows at the entrance to the roundabout, or entering vehicles failing to yield. The second issue has not been much of a problem, since the lane is wide enough that I can veer left to avoid being hit while the vehicle enters. On one occasion, the non-yielding vehicle tried to pass on the right and I got stuck in the roundabout.

I have to admit that I'm kind of a roundabout jerk...sometimes, when there's very little traffic, I just ride around a few times to see how much speed I can pick up without crashing. Somebody (not me) made it a Strava segment.

deepakvrao

Ride in France. Highest number of roundabouts in the world. First time we rode there, my wife found ythem tough to handle, but she soon got used to it.

FBinNY 

I always thought England was the roundabout capital. They also have massive roundabouts with 8 or 10 roads coming in or out. I still remember a drive to Leeds half asleep after my flight to London and seeing many of these "spiders" on the way.


Decoding them was hard enough but they were especially challenging when I'd take them counter-clockwise. (English drivers are extremely skilled about dealing with surprises)

Hardrock23

I love roundabouts. Riding and driving through them. I haven't had any issues riding through them so far.

kbarch

The bigger the intersection, the more intimidating it's going to be, whether traffic is controlled by signal lights or geometry. The difference with roundabouts is that they are designed so everyone can just keep moving. I would much rather deal with a traffic circle than try to make my way across two or three lanes of traffic to get into a left turn lane, or make a left turn off a well-traveled county road or rural highway without a traffic light.
The stuff about how wrong they are because Americans don't know how to use them is insulting to humanity. Sure, many are ill-prepared and hesitant (or aggressive) when they get to them, but if there are so many incompetent ignoramuses out there, it's only because they're accommodated. Why anyone would want to keep things that way is beyond me. It doesn't take decades for anyone to get used to a traffic pattern. Anyone who cant or won't learn to deal with something so simple shouldn't be allowed to drive.

Sy Reene

Maybe this is the issue. Most roundabouts I've seen you're not supposed to make lefts into roundabouts, unless you're in the UK? They're unidirectional, going counter-clockwise. Are there clockwise moving roundabouts in the US?

Shimagnolo

I sometimes take an extra lap with my motorcycle just for fun.

Scarbo

I don't see Pepe at his desk this morning.

I hope he's doing ok.

Doug28450

Shimagnolo

Here is a local one at a 3-way intersection that includes access to a trailhead on the West side: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9287.../data=!3m1!1e3

Ogsarg

I don't have any roundabouts near my home but earlier this year, I rented a City bike in Paris and navigated many. Smaller ones were no big deal. Ones with multiple lanes and more than 4 connecting streets can get pretty hairy. The worst by far was the Arc De Triomphe roundabout. After navigating that and get honked at by a few dozen cars, I think maybe bicycles aren't supposed to be there. I definitely will avoid that one in the future.

rumrunn6

maybe on a quiet Sunday morning?

PepeM

Still here. Getting ready for lunch, erm I mean for my recovery meal.