THE DESIGN OF BICYCLE FRIENDLY ROUNDABOUTS IN THE NETHERLANDS

This article on bicycle friendly roundabouts in The Netherlands is from a set of conference proceedings on Intersection Safety: Achieving Solutions Through Partnerships (held in March 2004, Irvine, California). After an introductory section on the general design of roundabouts, the author discusses safety issues, capacities of roundabouts, general design considerations, specific design elements (external radius, internal radius, width of carriageways, raised sloping lane, the design of crossings for slow-moving traffic, the design of entry and exit slip roads), the design of bicycle friendly roundabouts, and right-of-way issues. The author makes four conclusions: roundabouts are the safest form of intersection; the design should be in line with the right-of-way situation; the preference is for cyclist right of way on roundabouts in built up areas; and, if cyclists have to give way, the roundabout design should be adapted to that situation.