Pedestrians / Cyclists
Pedestrians
Roundabouts are designed to enable pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time. Look and listen for approaching traffic. Choose a safe time to cross from the curb ramp to the median opening.
- Walk on the sidewalk/path at all times.
- Never cross the circular roadway to the central island.
- Cross only at the designated crosswalks.
- Look in direction of the oncoming traffic and wait for an acceptable gap before entering the crosswalk.
- Proceed to the splitter island. Use the splitter island as a refuge. Again, look in the direction of oncoming traffic and wait for an acceptable gap before proceeding to cross.
Cyclists
Well-designed, low-speed, single-lane roundabouts should not present much difficulty to cyclists.
Cyclists have two options for navigating a roundabout:
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Ride as if you were operating a motor vehicle. Vehicles in roundabouts travel close to the speed you ride your bicycle. When riding in a bike lane or on the shoulder, merge into the travel lane before the bike lane shoulder ends. Obey all the same driving instructions as for vehicles. It is generally safest for cyclists to claim the lane. Don't hug the curb. Ride close to the middle of the lane. Be cautious of drivers' blind spots.
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Dismount and use sidewalks and crosswalks as a pedestrian. Some roundabouts may have a ramp that leads to a shared bicycle-pedestrian path that runs around the perimeter of the roundabout. At the other locations where there is no shared bicycle-pedestrian path, cyclists should obey signs, dismount and walk bicycles.