St John's Roundabout - Help a Cyclist, Green Cycle Lane Confusion Options

[Claude]

Please can someone offer some guidance on the safest/intended way to use St John's roundabout as a cyclist?

I appreciate the safest way is probably to get off, walk on the pavements then re-mount your steed and continue on your journey, but I don't want to get off.

Assume you're heading in a southerly direction from the town centre towards the roundabout, and you wish to take the 3rd exit (Andover Road).

a) What road position should you use when approaching the roundabout?
At what point should you indicate?
c) How long should you indicate for?
d) Who do you need to give priority to when approaching the roundabout?
e) Who do you need to give priority to when on the roundabout?
f) What road position would you use when on the roundabout?

If nobody else has experience I'd urge you to try this manoeuvre at 9am on a weekday, but if you do please make sure you wear a helmet!!!

Genuine comments & guidance would be most welcomed.

[JeffG]

As a car driver, I was in exactly this situation the other day. I was about to exit to the Andover Road but a cyclist was coming up behind me in the green lane. He actually exited up the same road, so there was no conflict, but until I was sure I was forced to wait in case he was going to carry on round. If he was a car there would have been no problem, as if he was going on round he would pass me on the right as I exited, not on my left.

[Claude]

As a car driver, I was in exactly this situation the other day. I was about to exit to the Andover Road but a cyclist was coming up behind me in the green lane. He actually exited up the same road, so there was no conflict, but until I was sure I was forced to wait in case he was going to carry on round. If he was a car there would have been no problem, as if he was going on round he would pass me on the right as I exited, not on my left.

No doubt if I adopt the 'I'm a car' approach I'll be lambasted for not using the cycle lane, but I've got thick skin and it won't be the first time I'll have attracted some criticism as a result of my cycling habits.

Thanks to all for your comments, much appreciated.

[GMR]

No doubt if I adopt the 'I'm a car' approach I'll be lambasted for not using the cycle lane, but I've got thick skin and it won't be the first time I'll have attracted some criticism as a result of my cycling habits.

Thanks to all for your comments, much appreciated.

I get lambasted all the time for not using the cycle lane; I just reply in kind. Even though there is a cycle lane or path for cyclists they don't have to use it under the law. Under the law you are entitled to use the road, as I do.



The trouble is with cycle lanes/ paths was that there was no thought put into it when they were created. Councils believe that putting a white line on the path or next to the path (thus creating a cycle Lane) was job done. Without no thought on pedestrians/ cyclists combination or cycle lanes/ paths being cleaned.

My son regularly used the cycle path and used to get loads of punctures. Also; while cycling down Kiln road - on the cycle path - some car was half parked on the road/ path and the driver opened her door as he went by and he went straight into it. A lesson learnt; don't cycle on unsafe cycle lanes.

You never see professional cyclists use them. That is because they are not stupid.