Is this the stupidest idea on the roads?

[Pudsey Bear]

More collisions at UK's first Dutch-style roundabout than old layout, figures reveal

There have been 10 collisions, three of them serious, since the infrastructure opened in 2020, however Cambridgeshire County Council also noted that cycling levels have risen by almost 50 per cent and pedestrian use is up 30 per cent

road.cc

 

[1807truckman]

I think the main problem is UK motorists attitudes.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I disagree I'm afraid, I may be proving your point but we have had a lifetime of roundabouts the way they are, to introduce some dutchness into the mix no wonder there are incidents, cyclists are 50% ignorant of other vehicles, and pedestrians don't look where they are going, to have a setup where they have priority and it's everyone else's fault if anything happens is plainly wrong, we should all take responsibility for our own and others safety.

 

[trevskoda]

The German way is miles better, you give way when on it to trafic endering the roundabout, this stops the 60mph nutters who thing they are at silverstone.

 

[Vanterrier]

As long as the Dutchmen wear caps there should be no accidents or am I thinking of something else?
K

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I preferred wellies

 

[trevskoda]

I preferred wellies

Only if going out with an old boot.

 

[korky]

Having cycled extensively in the Netherlands I know where I feel safer. They have not always had the great system they have now. Their traffic systems were like the UK once but with many more cyclists. The death toll was so horrific they decided to do something about it. They started in the 70's I think. A joy to cycle there and in Belgium and Germany. The provision here for safe cycling is woeful but we have to start somewhere.
Before people pile in, yes, I know some cyclists are dick heads, but so are lots of people. As for 50% of cyclists being ignorant of other road users that is frankly nonsense, most of us want to live to ride another day and have to be very aware of traffic.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Only if going out with an old boot.

You just volunteered yourself on to a hit list.

 

[TJBi]

When you suddenly impede egress from a layout that was originally introduced to promote free flow of traffic, you are increasing the risk of accidents, at least in the short term. It's a bit like chicanes, designed to make roads safer by forcing vehicles into head-on situations.

 

[Hookwater]

I disagree I'm afraid, I may be proving your point but we have had a lifetime of roundabouts the way they are, to introduce some dutchness into the mix no wonder there are incidents, cyclists are 50% ignorant of other vehicles, and pedestrians don't look where they are going, to have a setup where they have priority and it's everyone else's fault if anything happens is plainly wrong, we should all take responsibility for our own and others safety.

"50% of cyclists are ignorant of other vehicles" - without any citation this comment demeans the whole purpose of your comment.

 

[trevskoda]

Having cycled extensively in the Netherlands I know where I feel safer. They have not always had the great system they have now. Their traffic systems were like the UK once but with many more cyclists. The death toll was so horrific they decided to do something about it. They started in the 70's I think. A joy to cycle there and in Belgium and Germany. The provision here for safe cycling is woeful but we have to start somewhere.
Before people pile in, yes, I know some cyclists are dick heads, but so are lots of people. As for 50% of cyclists being ignorant of other road users that is frankly nonsense, most of us want to live to ride another day and have to be very aware of traffic.

Not here as most are on a death wish, I met one on an electric elegal scooter riding down the midle of the left lane almost over my bonnet, when I shouted out at him he just had a vacant look on his face and continued on.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

"50% of cyclists are ignorant of other vehicles" - without any citation this comment demeans the whole purpose of your comment.

I don't need a citation, I'm a driver on public roads, I just look out the window at their antics, swerving around parked cars and a host of other stupid stuff.

I rode when I was younger, we were taught how to ride and obey the highway code, we were taught to be observant, we were taught to ride safe, IE we were taught, who teaches cyclists now?

 

[TJBi]

"50% of cyclists are ignorant of other vehicles" - without any citation this comment demeans the whole purpose of your comment.

That's a misquote and therefore tends to detract from your comment.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Comment deleted.

 

[GeoffL]

That roundabout layout merely reinforces the rules for every roundabout. Each entry/exit of a roundabout is a "junction" and both pedestrians and cyclists following the major road (i.e. the roundabout itself) have priority over motorists (and cyclists) entering or leaving the junction/roundabout. What that layout does is separate cyclists from motorists, preventing close passes.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

No argument there, my point was it is so alien to what we are used to seeing and strangers to the town will have problems with it as they arrive at it leading to confusion and there for the possibility of incidents, as has been proven, like smart motorways, not good in practice.

 

[GeoffL]

No argument there, my point was it is so alien to what we are used to seeing and strangers to the town will have problems with it as they arrive at it leading to confusion and there for the possibility of incidents, as has been proven, like smart motorways, not good in practice.

I agree. You only need look at places like Bodmin, with things that look like roundabouts but aren't, look like pedestrian crossings but aren't etc. The resulting confusion is supposed to increase the perceived risk to make people think and so avoid accidents, but I'm not too sure it works that way!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Not forgetting the magic roundabout at Swindon, I had to go there about once a month, got used to it eventually and it does have a certain amount of logic but I nearly got skittled a few times.

 

[wildebus]

Not forgetting the magic roundabout at Swindon, I had to go there about once a month, got used to it eventually and it does have a certain amount of logic but I nearly got skittled a few times.

I think the roundabout at Swindon and the Roundabout at Hemel are brilliant! I find them very logical and have used them both lots of times and can make progress whilst most of the drivers are dithering around.