Question re' cycling and big islands

[anonymous-user]

Right see the below picture please.
This is a route I have to take and this island always worries me. It comes off the DC as you can see and then I have to follow the orange path in the middle lane as left is left and straight ahead only.

How would you go about this because the cars here weave from lane to lane all the time.

[Bill]

I'd either take to the pavements and go the short way round or come off Duncan Edwards Way earlier and take to the canal path before hacking left past the school onto Simms Lane.

[alangla]

If it's a really big one like that I'd be tempted to jump off & push the bike the short way round before getting back on, especially if there's a suitable footpath. Some of the footpaths at really big roundabouts are shared cycle/pedestrian anyway.

EDIT - just had a look on streetview - there's actually a cyclist sitting at the pedestrian lights on the DC anyway! I'd bail off at the pedestrian crossing, push across the road & down the footpath, through Aldi's carpark & push/carry the bike down the stairs & along to the junction at the back of Aldi, go on-road from there.

Edited by alangla on Thursday 19th March 12:05

[anonymous-user]

Bill said:

I'd either take to the pavements and go the short way round or come off Duncan Edwards Way earlier and take to the canal path before hacking left past the school onto Simms Lane.

Where is this path?

[BGarside]

Find an alternative right turn before the roundabout if you can, or else I'd be tempted to just cross the roads at 90° before the roundabout if possible, on foot or by cycling depending on the pedestrian traffic in the area.

Mutli-lane roundabouts are a nightmare as the average driver seems to have no idea which lane they are supposed to be in and the additional distraction just makes it more likely they won't be looking for a bike, assuming they ever are in any case...

[anonymous-user]

BGarside said:

Find an alternative right turn before the roundabout if you can, or else I'd be tempted to just cross the roads at 90° before the roundabout if possible, on foot or by cycling depending on the pedestrian traffic in the area.

Mutli-lane roundabouts are a nightmare as the average driver seems to have no idea which lane they are supposed to be in and the additional distraction just makes it more likely they won't be looking for a bike, assuming they ever are in any case...

This island was the reason I bought a dash-cam. People just have no idea.

[Bill]

GravelMachineGun said:

Where is this path?

Left off the top end of Holly Hall road, it's clear on google maps as a towpath but tbh looks less than ideal on OS. How far down Cinder Bank do you go?

[trickywoo]

That island doesn't look fun but I'd be equally reluctant to cycle down a 70mph dual.

Is there really no other route available to you?

[TooMany2cvs]

GravelMachineGun said:

Right see the below picture please.
This is a route I have to take and this island always worries me. It comes off the DC as you can see and then I have to follow the orange path in the middle lane as left is left and straight ahead only.

How would you go about this because the cars here weave from lane to lane all the time.

So L2 on the approach is kinda really only "L1B" - the left-turn slip only splits shortly before the R'a'B. That's easy, but there's the risk of stuff chopping across you into that approach slip.

But, from that, your orange line is then chopping across the traffic in L3, into the new L3 on the R'a'B itself. Better to either aim for L2 on the R'a'B (L1's a bit dodgy, as you're mixing it with stuff coming off at the second exit), or just be bold and go to L3 on the entry to the R'a'B.

Then, once you've passed that second exit, your orange line is staying right before chopping right across to your exit.

I'd be making my presence felt before L1 splits into two, and making sure I was in the centre of that RH half of L1, going to the line as L2. Then into L2 on the R'a'B, change to L1 as you pass the entry slip for the second exit, and you're in the right place to come off at the third exit. Be bold, be visible, claim your space, and make sure those around you can see what you're doing and where you're going. Remember, you've got fairly decent acceleration off the line. Use it.

[IroningMan]

TooMany2cvs said:

So L2 on the approach is kinda really only "L1B" - the left-turn slip only splits shortly before the R'a'B. That's easy, but there's the risk of stuff chopping across you into that approach slip.

But, from that, your orange line is then chopping across the traffic in L3, into the new L3 on the R'a'B itself. Better to either aim for L2 on the R'a'B (L1's a bit dodgy, as you're mixing it with stuff coming off at the second exit), or just be bold and go to L3 on the entry to the R'a'B.

Then, once you've passed that second exit, your orange line is staying right before chopping right across to your exit.

I'd be making my presence felt before L1 splits into two, and making sure I was in the centre of that RH half of L1, going to the line as L2. Then into L2 on the R'a'B, change to L1 as you pass the entry slip for the second exit, and you're in the right place to come off at the third exit. Be bold, be visible, claim your space, and make sure those around you can see what you're doing and where you're going. Remember, you've got fairly decent acceleration off the line. Use it.

I think the wobbly line is down to drawing skills, rather than roadcraft.

[Bill]

TooMany2cvs said:

Remember, you've got fairly decent acceleration when you're pedaling for your life.

EFA

FWIW I'd be starting in the centre of L3, crossing to L3 immediately on the RB and staying there until the second exit, moving left and leaving the RB in L1 ideally, but playing it by ear. It's probably less scary all round just to hop off and walk round the short way though.

[TooMany2cvs]

IroningMan said:

I think the wobbly line is down to drawing skills, rather than roadcraft.

It's not a high-resolution GPS track...?

I was ignoring the wobbliness, but assuming it was reasonably representative about the lane(s) being used.

[anonymous-user]

When you say Island, do you mean Roundabout?

[anonymous-user]

OpulentBob said:

When you say Island, do you mean Roundabout?

Obviously.

[wolves_wanderer]

OpulentBob said:

When you say Island, do you mean Roundabout?

Have a look at the picture in the OP and see:

1. If you can work the answer out for yourself
2. Why he may have used the word "island" in this case.

Report back.

[Steve_F]

That is horrible for cycling on. You'd almost be as safe turning right on the roundabout so you can at least see what's going to hit you!! ** DISCLAIMER I am obviously joking about this.

You'd have to be shifting to ensure cars don't want to pass you in the other lanes and even then not a guarantee. Can't see anything you're doing wrong or any better way short of an alternative route. Even with great awareness and positioning you're never going to be safe on that roundabout.

[Dave200]

Bill said:

It's probably less scary all round just to hop off and walk round the short way though.

This. Just this.

I have cycle-commuted thousands of miles in London, which has made me fairly brave/assertive.

It has also made me smart, meaning that I don't put myself in stupid, dangerous positions.