A Roundabout Issue...Long and Political.

[DrumlinDancer]

We too have a roundabout where our first spring ride will lead off from in late April 2011. The last time we used this route, there was a driver that did nothing but BEEP at the riders in the roundabout. She was coming from the left, and there was enough time for four of the 15 or so bikes to get out to the right side of the roundabout lane without interfering with her progression. Very unnerving to ride next to a constantly honking car! As one poster said, their community thought perhaps cyclists should dismount and cross.(!) That to me would be unnecessary here as bicyclists have the same rules of the road here as cars, and there would be more of delay as we all parade across like a line of ducklings. Here in Green Bay, there is also a "mound" often with plantings, at the center of each roundabout which impedes a cyclist's view of what is coming around the bend. In Wisconsin all new roads are supposed to be pedestrian/biker accessible, and pedestrians in crosswalks have right of way. BUT: I don't see crosswalks on the roundabouts. It is like dodge'em on the roundabouts - especially the multi-laners. So how ARE other communities/bike groups handling this?

[Geonz]

Why do you say this one won't be traffic calming? What's the difference?

[Mr. Bloom]

Sue, the current intersection has a 4 Way Stop. That's the best type of traffic calming.

The planned change, despite a 15mph posted speed, is projected by the City Engineer to result in 17mph left turns, 25mph straight through, and 27mph right turns. That's not calming...and adds to the inherent risk to the cyclist IMHO