Discussion: Roundabouts

They have bicycle lanes in the roundabouts in Slovenia, although eventually you have to cross some traffic. Separated from the car lane by a strip of grass and a curb, as I recall.

Roundabouts are all the rage: I can think of five that have sprung up in Northampton or Amherst in the last few years. No doubt there's some sort of data to support doing this, though I don't know if it's more a matter of safety or efficiency.

None of the roundabouts I've been riding through have presented any problem just going with the car traffic. But the one they're just finishing on Bridge St. at the exit off of 91 may be more challenging.

Roundabouts demand that drivers yield to cars and bikes in the circle. No problem in Sweden of course. Of course there are bike lanes along all the roads.

Rotaries that have two lanes going around are hairy even when you're in a car. The worst I've ever seen, though, is Place de la Concorde in Paris, which appeared to be a multi-lane rotary inside another multi-lane rotary, with Parisian drivers, taxi, and buses. Complete chaos. I was glad I wasn't driving.
https://media.gettyimages.com/videos/fountain-and-...
Although maybe Arc de Triomphe is worse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXfGZF2-sUU

The French definitely like their roundabouts, and there's a certain elegance in a Tour de France field splitting neatly in half around one.

Meanwhile, the British have a Roundabout Appreciation Society.

On the evening news (CBS) this evening there was a report from Paris, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background and a section of the rotary in clear view. Every few seconds a car would go by. That's all. Seems like JJ ought to hop on a plane, rent a car, and do a few laps. Will never get a better chance.