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.

[Claude]

In 30 years of driving I don't think a cyclist has ever suddenly swerved out in front of me. But I am also a cyclist.

When I was younger I was pretty inconsiderate on a bike, I'd possibly go so far as to say I was reckless on occasion, but since becoming an experienced driver I shudder to think about the manoeuvres I used to make as a boy. Now I try to keep my swerves to a minimum but I do still make the odd move to avoid potholes, assuming I can't bunny-hop over them.

Just out of interest, do you wear the string of onions round your neck when you cycle?

I'm afraid not, and my jersey of choice isn't navy & white-striped, however, there is a cloud of garlic following me wherever I go...

Santé!

[Simon Kirby]

When I was younger I was pretty inconsiderate on a bike, I'd possibly go so far as to say I was reckless on occasion, but since becoming an experienced driver I shudder to think about the manoeuvres I used to make as a boy. Now I try to keep my swerves to a minimum but I do still make the odd move to avoid potholes, assuming I can't bunny-hop over them.

Yes, I was a reckless cyclist too.

I give cyclists a wide berth when overtaking, and only overtake when I can see what's coming - I may not have seen many cyclists swerving, but I have seen plenty of cars overtaking with no thought about where to go if a car suddenly appears from the other direction! Wasn't it Eddy Merckx who said to give cyclists at least enough room to fall off?

And for the Highway Code quoters, here's what it says about passing cyclists:

The Highway Code says that when overtaking you should give cyclists "at least as much room as you would give a car". This is because: a) cyclists are prone to wobbing around a bit, particularly at low speed or in high winds; b ) they may move out to avoid a pothole, puddle, broken glass or cans etc; c) your slipstream may cause them to wobble; and d) because it's very scary to have a car whip past 2 feet away at 60mph (please consider slowing down as you overtake too)!

[Biker1]

And for the Highway Code quoters, here's what it says about passing cyclists:

The Highway Code?
If I quoted all the rules that cyclists should obey but don't I think this thread may run into several pages!
(Post checked for typos but all corrections welcome!)

[Simon Kirby]

The Highway Code?
If I quoted all the rules that cyclists should obey but don't I think this thread may run into several pages!
(Post checked for typos but all corrections welcome!)

So what's your point? That some people are idiots? Of course they are, we know that, and some of those idiots will be idiot cyclists. Good drivers will understand that everyone else on the road could potentially do something really idiotic at any moment and drive accordingly.

[Biker1]

So what's your point?

My point is that the majority of cyclists do not think the Highway Code applies to them.
On top of that they do not apply common sense especially when riding near pedestrians.
(Why ride at 20mph down a pedestrianised street?)
If they do not apply the rules then that causes accidents, injury and death.

That some people are idiots?

No

Good drivers will understand that everyone else on the road could potentially do something really idiotic at any moment and drive accordingly.

Absolutely.

[GMR]

My point is that the majority of cyclists do not think the Highway Code applies to them.

It is funny you should mention this. I think a good majority of cyclists have never read the highway code. In fact they are not required to read the Highway code under the law. I did say once to a cyclist "you should read the highway code"; in which he replied "what is a highway code?"

For the record; I have read the highway code because I've got a car and motorcycle licence.

[Biker1]

It is funny you should mention this. I think a good majority of cyclists have never read the highway code. In fact they are not required to read the Highway code under the law. I did say once to a cyclist "you should read the highway code"; in which he replied "what is a highway code?"

Speechless....................no comment except, I give up!

[GMR]

Speechless....................no comment except, I give up!

That'll be the day

[Biker1]

That'll be the day

I was under the impression I had been much less vociferous on here of late!

When you make statements such as you did about cyclists and the Highway Code (in which the rules for cyclists are clearly stated) then it does have the tendency to render one speechless. Little surprise that there is such an unfortunate death and injury toll amongst them.

[GMR]

I was under the impression I had been much less vociferous on here of late!

When you make statements such as you did about cyclists and the Highway Code (in which the rules for cyclists are clearly stated) then it does have the tendency to render one speechless. Little surprise that there is such an unfortunate death and injury toll amongst them.

I think you misread what I said. Whether the rules are clearly stated or not in the Highway code it doesn't mean cyclist have read the book; unless those cyclists drive cars or motorbikes.

There is no law requiring cyclists to read the highway code.

[Biker1]

There is no law requiring cyclists to read the highway code.

There is no law to say ANYONE has to read the Highway Code.
Perhaps there should be?