tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post7617148647848653097..comments2024-03-03T17:18:34.847-08:00Comments on Troubadour's Treks: Doubts About RoudaboutsTroubadourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567767701065756330noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-26269174394366425382011-11-22T16:45:28.971-08:002011-11-22T16:45:28.971-08:00I love roundabouts, but if I know the City of Corv...I love roundabouts, but if I know the City of Corvallis they don't like confrontation and back down pretty quickly if the people don't agree on something. I'll be surprised if this passes and would put my money on another damn traffic light, adding to the slogan<br />"Welcome, enjoy your stay".<br /><br />I'll keep everyone posted.Troubadourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567767701065756330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-52713552057230492422011-11-22T16:03:21.700-08:002011-11-22T16:03:21.700-08:00Loads of roundabouts over here, great fun! Scrape ...Loads of roundabouts over here, great fun! Scrape pegs on yer bike and get your car sideways.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10482686218383091512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-17057213236620820702011-11-20T19:45:45.542-08:002011-11-20T19:45:45.542-08:00Personally, I like roundabouts. Just not here in ...Personally, I like roundabouts. Just not here in Georgia. In Georgia we have encountered a couple single lane roundabouts that actually have stop signs before entering. Talk about incongruous. Seems to defeat the purpose.BeemerGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15239761274177026636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-6386833643315497132011-11-19T00:00:08.947-08:002011-11-19T00:00:08.947-08:00Spark away my roundabout buddies! We are getting ...Spark away my roundabout buddies! We are getting more roundabouts & traffic circles. Drivers of all things motorized need to update their skills more often, once you know how to approach & execute its easy peasy, and yes, dear drivers you need to use that funny thing in your car that is called a turn signal! <br /><br />I am finding in general driving habits are getting worse. Lack of turn signals, shoulder checking and driver inattention is getting worse. No wonder people are freaked out about something new. Silly old rabbits.Dar https://www.blogger.com/profile/14690180541358767168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-24641256588335504372011-11-18T22:13:58.409-08:002011-11-18T22:13:58.409-08:00I was curious of others dealings with roundabouts ...I was curious of others dealings with roundabouts and appreciate everyone's comments. It is as with anything, simply a matter of getting familiar with them, they are inevitable as more and more are designed and installed along the west coast. I did not take into consideration standardization, good call Gary. I only hope drivers take the time to learn how to use them.<br /><br />Hmmmm, titanium and blue sparks eh?Troubadourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567767701065756330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-55069672588389722652011-11-18T19:54:43.966-08:002011-11-18T19:54:43.966-08:00Troubadour:
I'm with Gary, haven grown up with...Troubadour:<br />I'm with Gary, haven grown up with them in the UK and also in NZ. As you say, all a question of learning, plus Gary's mention of design standardisation.<br /><br />Good for dragging your knee, even if you are on the tall Tiger. You'll be fitting titanium sliders to your pants next to trail a shower of sparks :-)Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-59783210726153610912011-11-18T15:05:07.923-08:002011-11-18T15:05:07.923-08:00Greetings from across the pond.
That is an intere...Greetings from across the pond.<br /><br />That is an interesting question. Roundabout, traffic lights or four-way stop? Having used roundabouts for decades, I can certainly vouch that they keep traffic flowing much better than the other two alternatives. They get my vote any day. However, I need to heap a few qualifications on that simply considered vote.<br /><br />In Europe, drivers and riders know exactly what to do at roundabouts. They know which lane to be in when approaching a roundabout, then know how and when to use their turn signals, plus they know when to stop, when to yield and when to keep going. This is not due to some excellence in driving skills, but is borne out of lots and lots of experience of using roundabouts.<br /><br />Having ridden 21,000+ miles in 27 different states, I can say I didn't see many roundabouts in the USA. When I did, I most often saw confusion and uncertainty. I saw a bewildering array of differing signs at almost every roundabout. I saw people stopping at roundabouts instead of yielding. I saw dreadful lane discipline.<br /><br />I do not blame the drivers and riders. I blame a lack of good quality consistent design, a lack of consistent signage and no doubt a lack of training. On a few occasions I did see roundabouts working well in the US, but this was rare.<br /><br />In Canada, roundabouts work well. I imagine they have been using them for years.<br /><br />Roundabouts are very good, keep the traffic flowing and save a lot of time. BUT, it will take years for people to get used to them in the USA given the current confusing arrangements and designs. If roundabouts are to be introduced more widely, a nationwide standard design of the road layouts and signage is essential. <br /><br />Any change in driving rules is going to be challenging! I am still not used to four-way stops!Gary Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05163380727432573785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-38403994273533191182011-11-17T19:10:27.796-08:002011-11-17T19:10:27.796-08:00Both my vehicle and I fume as I sit at a red light...Both my vehicle and I fume as I sit at a red light. I can't imagine how much gasoline is wasted every day in every state by cars idling and waiting for the light to change to green. But, hold on! Here come some cars from the other direction...just in time for THEIR light to turn red!<br /><br />Here in Utah we have an improvement over the standard old traffic light intersection. We have fancy new (so called) "continous flow intersection" where you drive through (or wait at) TWO traffic lights at each intersection instead of one. Twice the fun, half the sense. Give me a roundy any day, I've driven them in Europe, and we have a few here. Much much better!Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10224016448511521446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-87386899057948073672011-11-17T18:52:06.028-08:002011-11-17T18:52:06.028-08:00BTW, I should come out and say that I voted for th...BTW, I should come out and say that I voted for the simple, free solution of keeping the stop sign. I agree that riding through traffic circles are a blast but people need to know how to behave....RichardMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773834892715980735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-22494496055089354582011-11-17T13:26:50.427-08:002011-11-17T13:26:50.427-08:00Love the area in Springfield by Symantech. There ...Love the area in Springfield by Symantech. There are a couple of main streets with closely spaced roundabouts. What a gas on a bike!<br /><br />P.S. I didn't participate in the poll as you asked for riders from other states. I am an "out of this world" rider but live near to you!irondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-18387630348106706682011-11-16T20:48:19.895-08:002011-11-16T20:48:19.895-08:00Troubadour:
we have lots of roundabouts up here b...<b>Troubadour:</b><br /><br />we have lots of roundabouts up here but we also know them as traffic circles, most are single lane, but we have a few double lane. It sure beats having to wait at a signal light, plus on a bike I usually speed up and do a quick slalom<br /><br />bob <br /><a href="%E2%80%9Dwww.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow">Riding the Wet Coast</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-62873098623530746082011-11-16T18:26:50.980-08:002011-11-16T18:26:50.980-08:00Agree with your assessment about learning somethin...Agree with your assessment about learning something new. Funny that the comments mentioned Bend. Ron and I spent a long weekend in Bend. At first all the roundabouts drove us crazy, then we noticed how the locals handled them, and by the end of the weekend loved them. Hated it when we had to use a regular intersection or (God forbid) a light! I say bring 'em!Bluekathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13485258388887249275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-81835308617223610562011-11-16T16:24:46.854-08:002011-11-16T16:24:46.854-08:00We have a bunch and the only real problem with the...We have a bunch and the only real problem with them are the people who come screeching to a stop (not the expected behaviour) then sit there looking BOTH ways before pulling out. The other problem we have is people don't use their turn signals. I think what you need is a multi-lane roundabout, now there's something to get worked up about.<br /><br />As a frequent pedestrian, the only time I've ever been almost run down was trying to cross streets feeding a roundabout. Also, Corvallis has some small, undersized roundabouts so the concept should be familiar.RichardMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773834892715980735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7348278507505143679.post-35259698859307065302011-11-16T16:19:16.024-08:002011-11-16T16:19:16.024-08:00I am from Europe and familiar with the concept ;-)...I am from Europe and familiar with the concept ;-)SonjaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12389245948579828531noreply@blogger.com