Signaling direction
For the foreign readers: the Netherlands is a FAN of roundabouts. It keeps traffic moving and in a country where we're already overpopulated, this is necessary to keep traffic jams from happening. There are many roundabouts in towns, but also on the connecting roads and sometimes under freeway overpasses (like near Rotterdam Centrum and Utrecht/Nieuwegein/Houten)
The Netherlands is also a FAN of cycling.
For cyclists, these roundabouts are a great way to get from A to B too, and the best part is that if you're on the roundabout you are supposed to get right of way (especially within city limits). But for some drivers it can be hard to see when you're signaling. The rules for both cars and cyclists are:
- When you approach a roundabout and know you're taking a left or right turn, indicate this in advance so people know where you're going.
- If you've entered the roundabout and will leave it (even if it means going straight ahead from your original point of view), indicate that you're leaving the roundabout by signaling right.*
For cyclists, this means putting out a hand. The problem is that most drivers can't see you're signaling with your right hand because it's hidden by your body!
Until I saw someone pointing towards the exit of the roundabout they were intending to take. Their arm moved while they were cycling towards it and it looks kind of weird when you think about it, but then you realise it's actually a great idea!
Sure, you feel like half a roman senator for holding your arm out that way, but there are far fewer cars stopping on the roundabout because suddenly they can see you're intending to leave the roundabout at the same point they are.
So here's my plea: point to where you're going when you're on (or in) your bike. It makes driving around you safer and easier.
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*) In the UK and other countries where you drive on the left-hand side of the road, this would be 'signaling left'.
The Netherlands is also a FAN of cycling.
For cyclists, these roundabouts are a great way to get from A to B too, and the best part is that if you're on the roundabout you are supposed to get right of way (especially within city limits). But for some drivers it can be hard to see when you're signaling. The rules for both cars and cyclists are:
- When you approach a roundabout and know you're taking a left or right turn, indicate this in advance so people know where you're going.
- If you've entered the roundabout and will leave it (even if it means going straight ahead from your original point of view), indicate that you're leaving the roundabout by signaling right.*
For cyclists, this means putting out a hand. The problem is that most drivers can't see you're signaling with your right hand because it's hidden by your body!
Until I saw someone pointing towards the exit of the roundabout they were intending to take. Their arm moved while they were cycling towards it and it looks kind of weird when you think about it, but then you realise it's actually a great idea!
Sure, you feel like half a roman senator for holding your arm out that way, but there are far fewer cars stopping on the roundabout because suddenly they can see you're intending to leave the roundabout at the same point they are.
So here's my plea: point to where you're going when you're on (or in) your bike. It makes driving around you safer and easier.
-----
*) In the UK and other countries where you drive on the left-hand side of the road, this would be 'signaling left'.