Filtering through big roundabouts?

Hey all,

I've only been riding 4 months, so I'm learning something every day.
I took the bike in to a different office today and come across a series of big roundabouts... no problem going in to work as the traffic was light.

Coming home, the traffic leading up to the roundabouts was heavy and so I filtered down the middle. No dramas. Then I arrived at the roundabout - still between two rows of cars - and the traffic starts moving.

"s***!" I think, "I'm just going to have to go with the flow and make my way round the roundabout on the line between the two lanes..."

If that weren't bad enough, that happened 2 or 3 times. This got me thinking:

Should I be squeezing back into a lane well before the roundabout to anticipate the traffic moving forward? I'm guessing the answer is yes, but I'm curious to know how fellow commuters deal with big traffic filled roundabouts.

Thoughts please??

Thanks for your time all.

I do tend to get into the lane I need before I get to the roundabout unless the traffic is still held up after the roundabout then I keep filtering like you did.

A polite look over my shoulder at the drivers to see who is gonna let me in usually works.

[fastdruid]

Forward planning! Work out what's happening on the roundabout before you get there.

If stationary then filter all the way round.

If nearly stationary / slow moving then I tend to nip in behind the lead car. Then either go round at the same pace (roundabouts are classic for cars changing lanes without looking/signalling) or filter if stationary.

If traffic comes to a 'head' at the roundabout but the roundabout is moving then I go to the front and use the acceleration of the bike to pull out where a car wouldn't be able to.

Druid

Originally Posted by fastdruid

Forward planning! Work out what's happening on the roundabout before you get there.

If stationary then filter all the way round.

If nearly stationary / slow moving then I tend to nip in behind the lead car. Then either go round at the same pace (roundabouts are classic for cars changing lanes without looking/signalling) or filter if stationary.

If traffic comes to a 'head' at the roundabout but the roundabout is moving then I go to the front and use the acceleration of the bike to pull out where a car wouldn't be able to.

Druid

Ditto, on every comment.

[fizzwheel]

What Fastdruid said.

You do need eyes in the back of your head in that situation though, remember keep your wits about you, your observations up and expect the unexpected.

On especially busy roundabouts like the Mickey Mouse in Hemel Hempstead sometimes I won't filter at all once I'm on the roundabout. Lots of people changing lane, often not looking - sometimes the few minutes you save by filtering aren't worth it for the hassle of being hyper-aware.

Cheers all -- as usual, lots of valuable advice!!

Same here... I typically filter until the next car that's about to pull onto the roundabout itself - but if the traffic's moving faster, then a few cars before

Originally Posted by fastdruid

Forward planning! Work out what's happening on the roundabout before you get there.

If stationary then filter all the way round.

If nearly stationary / slow moving then I tend to nip in behind the lead car. Then either go round at the same pace (roundabouts are classic for cars changing lanes without looking/signalling) or filter if stationary.

If traffic comes to a 'head' at the roundabout but the roundabout is moving then I go to the front and use the acceleration of the bike to pull out where a car wouldn't be able to.

Druid

Wot he said

I can only say what I would do and I will not offer any advice. I would never filter in moving traffic on a roundabout simply because there is such a risk that somebody isn't going to see you, will cut across, and splat.