Hey everyone, I have decided to take a more cinematic approach for this episode. Let me know what you thought about the whole video and if you want more episodes like this! If you could also help out by sharing in your local motorcycle social media communities, it would be awesome!
Roundabouts are fantastic at keeping traffic flowing, and they're extremely common over here in the UK. For us, anyone on the right has the right of way (with us being on the left of the road). The way I was taught to approach was to slow down to a crawl, drop into first gear, and check all lanes on approach. If the roundabout is clear, continue, if not you are already slow enough to stop under control. A very good piece of instruction my motorbike teacher gave me was, when leaving a round about, if you are on the outside lane, indicate then check the shoulder towards the inside lane. If you are on the inside, check your shoulders towards the outside lane.
glad to hear an opinion by someone from the UK! Here in NA, the opinion for roundabouts is very mixed because of the many close call experiences due to inexperienced and uneducated drivers
Pretty rare here in my area. Due to this I watch the drivers and their tires to see what their next move will be. I enjoy the 1 or 2 lane roundabouts and especially like using them in low traffic areas where there would normally be a stop sign.
I think I would enjoy the roundabouts more too if I trusted those using it but my town is just not ready because I see close calls SO often just standing there for 5 minutes
I don't understand how the ring has two lanes and they say inside must continue around and outside must exit. That just forces a lot of fast lane-swapping while turning and that sounds like a recipe for high accident rates. During my 40+ years of driving, I never change lanes will turning, not ever.
so to make things more confusing in words, the inside lane actually can exit from its lane. The problem is, if the right lane driver didn't exit like he or she supposed to, then there will be a collision. Also same goes with the cars waiting to come in, they have to wait until both lanes are clear before jumping in. The concept is very irrational given the way we have come accustomed to drive but IF we all know how to use it, there is barely any stoppage.
This was a really well done video. and I like how you didn’t just talk about how they work and why they are good you even got into the history. the shots were amazing as well.
Enjoyed the video man. It is a nice change of pace to see familiar roads all the time. Have you been on the new roundabout where western speedway used to be? I rode through last week and the reducing radius turn kind of snuck up on me. Didn't dump it or anything but I don't think it looked very smooth, haha. As much of a pain in the butt it would be, sometimes i wonder if drivers should be re-tested every 5-10 years. I seriously wonder what the pass rate would be. Also caught your clip on Motostarz today. Glad to hear you are back on the bike and feeling healthy. I remember feeling a bit apprehensive too getting back on 2 wheels after I low sided my scooter and dis-located my shoulder. My close family members aren't a fan of my riding hobby either, but to their dismay, I was back on as soon as I could comfortably get my left arm back on the bars. Ride safe.
I rarely ride up that way due to the crazy traffic north bound on the Veteran's Memorial lol. So I haven't been in that roundabout. Glad you didn't dump your bike tho! I agree with you that there should be some form of re-certification after 10 years. It makes sense but I also HATE road tests lol so yeah...
I grew up with a few round-abouts, back in the prehistoric days of B&W TV, in Edmonton. They made so much sense and with the snowy conditions, helped traffic flow. I think they are marvelous. Unfortunately, as you clearly noted, 'modern' drivers have not been educated on how to use them. It will come with time. Until more folks figure it out, round-abouts are one more place for a motorcyclist to get clipped. Stay safe and keep shiny side up.
Grew up with roundabouts living abroad and they work extremely well when used properly. I think the other big problem with them in the US I noticed (apart from late introduction) is drivers are very “me first” minded there, so unless directly told by a glaring red light in their face often ignore yields, or think “I can make it” and try to squeeze/rush in instead of waiting their turn, causing issues. The problem with Victoria drivers I’ve found is they’re indecisive and over cautious, which often makes them unpredictable, making it hard to trust them in roundabouts. I typically flash or honk when I notice someone not looking at me when I’m in a roundabout and that gets them to both notice me and wait their turn. A big one too is people don’t understand how to signal when in a roundabout to communicate your intentions, both staying in and exiting.
you are on point on these remarks! I once honked in my car because the old lady in front of me wouldn't turn left (advanced left signal was on) and she proceeded to yell at me saying "THIS IS VICTORIA!! WE DON'T HONK HERE!!" - it was my first year in Victoria after living in Ontario and wow. lol
@@KSMotoCafe I’ve found it best on my commute to downtown to drive way more assertively and predictably here when on my bike. I fully advance for turns, I flash/honk often, I always take my turn at a stop instead of waving people on out of turn. With that said I’m still defensive and always try to enter every situation with a couple of escape routes planned.
I went on vacation in France and drove thru a city that had no traffic lights or stop signs of any kind. Every intersection was a large roundabout. It was so smooth and pleasant to drive. I found myself hardly ever having to apply brakes. I noticed the largest difference to the roundabouts in the U.S. were the size. They were much larger in France.
@@KSMotoCafe In the UK we have actual driving lessons and strict driving tests (I've heard that the USA basically has none?), so by the time someone is legally licenced to drive they have experienced hundreds of roundabouts
25 or so years ago they put the first one in my city. Maybe it's because it was around the time that I was getting my license for the first time, but it never seemed confusing to me. It looks like since then we've got about 20 of them in the metro area. I hadn't actually thought about going through one on my bike yet... Guess whenever I get around to riding through one of those areas, Ima be extra nervous when I get to it, lol.
as long as the drivers around you know what they are doing, then no worries and no long stops! But where I am, people can barely drive confidently in normal light controlled intersections let alone a double lane roundabout lol
@@KSMotoCafe lol, yeah, the clip of the truck hitting that car... my first thought was "that person doesn't have a problem with roundabouts, they have a problem thinking"
Great Video. I think roundabouts, but we only have one in a couple hundred miles. I got stuck in one the other day. Just kept going around. Lol. Thanks for sharing new sub.
part of our problem here - is that so many are configured differently(of the 4 within 3 kms from me, they are all different). But mostly - I agree, education is key. I remember when they put the ones in by the Victoria Airport on MacTavish - KA-OS ensued. Like the "new cinematic experience"
the one near YYJ is still chaotic! These ones I filmed in Langford are also horrible because most drivers entering the roundabout don't realize that the inside lane can also exit (driving across the outside lane). I saw so many close calls just while I was filming there LOL
Mc Tavish is something else man. Last month I was leaving YYJ, getting onto the highway south. Driver in from of me managed to come to a complete stop 3 separate times within the roundabout, and he was going the same way as me. 😅
Thank you for this video! The injury risk is worse in a normal intersection since you can be hit head on or T Boned. At least in a round about both vehicles are traveling the same general direction at a reduced speed. Now I don’t LIKE driving through them because they are kinda scary! 😂
Great video. I'll take a roundabout over a standard intersection on a bike any day. No worse feeling then being a sitting duck waiting for a car to rear end or t bone you at a red light.
Whenever I'm sitting at a light on my bike, I'm watching the cars behind me in my mirrors. It's scary when they come flying up fast and stick to my ass. The other thing that scares me is that a lot of drivers take their foot off the brake the instant the light turns green, even when it's for the other lane, so I'm always worried that some jackass will hit me from behind before I start moving just because he isn't paying attention. Some drivers are the opposite and stop about 25 feet behind me like they're afraid of getting to close to me. Sometimes, I want them closer to me so their car will trigger the light sensor, otherwise some lights will never change. Can't tell you how many times I've had to run a red light that would never change for my bike.
I know what you mean but I just don't trust current drivers to know that they know what they are doing in the roundabouts (specially the double / triple ones). I saw so many close calls just while recording these lol
Great Vid Chris. Not so funny thing is , in my town of 55,000 we have about 6 of them and they get added to the mix with out the plebeians knowing about them. What's worse, is that We the Bikers, and our BC Transit Operators seem to be the only ones that know how and "When" to signal; In , Thru , and when Exiting.... but the average cager hasn't got a frikken clue on when to enter or how signal their intent. * those cagers that do ride, myself included, seem to be conversant with the do's and don'ts of traffic circles..... and Short of the clueless ones going back to drivers - ed ....Non of the cagers I've seen have ever picked up on the jist of using a traffic circle correctly...... Maybe do a vid on it ???
yeah I honestly dont think we will ever achieve same level as the European drivers for roundabouts. the amount of close calls I get inside these circles is too much risk lol
The problem I have with the local ones are they are too small and especially when they shoehorn them into existing intersections and where they put pedestrian crossings right at the exits. Also no standard lane directions.. some the inside lane can continue around or exit others the outside lane must exit and inside lane continue around .. etc.,no consistency.
Check out this 7 circle roundabout in the UK www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/ It gives me anxiety just imagining myself going into it.
I'm not sure what the tank commander was either seeing or doing on the Milwaukee roundabout @4:25. Normally when you hit another vehicle you should stop not go on an off road excursion to celebrate taking another driver out😂
Roundabouts work great assuming 2 things. 1- Everyone uses them correctly (including signals, which you didn't mention) and 2 - traffic volumes do not exceed design specs. You used a graphic of the "Magic Roundabout" from the UK. Also see the "Portwood Roundabout" to see how these things become stupid when too much traffic needs to use them.
yeah I had those data and info ready but I was worried the video would get too dry. Correct signalling is definitely important but the roundabouts in my area are so small that drivers rarely signal (also they dont know how to use it)
They're intimidating and off-putting until you realize that you only have to check one direction as opposed to three directions the way you would at a 4-way stop. Plus if it's empty, you literally do not have to stop. Insanely efficient
Roundabouts are superior and safer to 4 way intersections. The one thing you must remember is stay in your lane and watch for fuel spills on them. We have loads of them in the UK and they are immensely safer than crossroads or intersections.
In Melbourne we have hook turns. They make roundabouts look simple. At least 99% of all vehicle users do them incorrectly forcing you to do the same. You must break the law to stay safe 🤣🙃
Hey everyone, I have decided to take a more cinematic approach for this episode. Let me know what you thought about the whole video and if you want more episodes like this! If you could also help out by sharing in your local motorcycle social media communities, it would be awesome!
Roundabouts are fantastic at keeping traffic flowing, and they're extremely common over here in the UK. For us, anyone on the right has the right of way (with us being on the left of the road).
The way I was taught to approach was to slow down to a crawl, drop into first gear, and check all lanes on approach. If the roundabout is clear, continue, if not you are already slow enough to stop under control.
A very good piece of instruction my motorbike teacher gave me was, when leaving a round about, if you are on the outside lane, indicate then check the shoulder towards the inside lane. If you are on the inside, check your shoulders towards the outside lane.
glad to hear an opinion by someone from the UK! Here in NA, the opinion for roundabouts is very mixed because of the many close call experiences due to inexperienced and uneducated drivers
Great information vid Kris! Love how your drone caught those near-misses!
thanks man
Pretty rare here in my area. Due to this I watch the drivers and their tires to see what their next move will be. I enjoy the 1 or 2 lane roundabouts and especially like using them in low traffic areas where there would normally be a stop sign.
I think I would enjoy the roundabouts more too if I trusted those using it but my town is just not ready because I see close calls SO often just standing there for 5 minutes
I don't understand how the ring has two lanes and they say inside must continue around and outside must exit. That just forces a lot of fast lane-swapping while turning and that sounds like a recipe for high accident rates. During my 40+ years of driving, I never change lanes will turning, not ever.
so to make things more confusing in words, the inside lane actually can exit from its lane. The problem is, if the right lane driver didn't exit like he or she supposed to, then there will be a collision. Also same goes with the cars waiting to come in, they have to wait until both lanes are clear before jumping in. The concept is very irrational given the way we have come accustomed to drive but IF we all know how to use it, there is barely any stoppage.
This was a really well done video. and I like how you didn’t just talk about how they work and why they are good you even got into the history. the shots were amazing as well.
thanks Jeremy! Them roundabouts are still a deathtrap for us riders lol (especially where we live)
Enjoyed the video man. It is a nice change of pace to see familiar roads all the time. Have you been on the new roundabout where western speedway used to be? I rode through last week and the reducing radius turn kind of snuck up on me. Didn't dump it or anything but I don't think it looked very smooth, haha. As much of a pain in the butt it would be, sometimes i wonder if drivers should be re-tested every 5-10 years. I seriously wonder what the pass rate would be.
Also caught your clip on Motostarz today. Glad to hear you are back on the bike and feeling healthy. I remember feeling a bit apprehensive too getting back on 2 wheels after I low sided my scooter and dis-located my shoulder. My close family members aren't a fan of my riding hobby either, but to their dismay, I was back on as soon as I could comfortably get my left arm back on the bars.
Ride safe.
I rarely ride up that way due to the crazy traffic north bound on the Veteran's Memorial lol. So I haven't been in that roundabout. Glad you didn't dump your bike tho! I agree with you that there should be some form of re-certification after 10 years. It makes sense but I also HATE road tests lol so yeah...
I grew up with a few round-abouts, back in the prehistoric days of B&W TV, in Edmonton. They made so much sense and with the snowy conditions, helped traffic flow. I think they are marvelous. Unfortunately, as you clearly noted, 'modern' drivers have not been educated on how to use them. It will come with time. Until more folks figure it out, round-abouts are one more place for a motorcyclist to get clipped.
Stay safe and keep shiny side up.
thanks for that confirmation! It is always interesting to hear it from someone who has been driving on them when they were first introduced
Grew up with roundabouts living abroad and they work extremely well when used properly. I think the other big problem with them in the US I noticed (apart from late introduction) is drivers are very “me first” minded there, so unless directly told by a glaring red light in their face often ignore yields, or think “I can make it” and try to squeeze/rush in instead of waiting their turn, causing issues. The problem with Victoria drivers I’ve found is they’re indecisive and over cautious, which often makes them unpredictable, making it hard to trust them in roundabouts. I typically flash or honk when I notice someone not looking at me when I’m in a roundabout and that gets them to both notice me and wait their turn. A big one too is people don’t understand how to signal when in a roundabout to communicate your intentions, both staying in and exiting.
you are on point on these remarks! I once honked in my car because the old lady in front of me wouldn't turn left (advanced left signal was on) and she proceeded to yell at me saying "THIS IS VICTORIA!! WE DON'T HONK HERE!!" - it was my first year in Victoria after living in Ontario and wow. lol
@@KSMotoCafe I’ve found it best on my commute to downtown to drive way more assertively and predictably here when on my bike. I fully advance for turns, I flash/honk often, I always take my turn at a stop instead of waving people on out of turn. With that said I’m still defensive and always try to enter every situation with a couple of escape routes planned.
Nice report man, love your vids!
thank you
The outer primary cover on my Rocker C scrapes on my favorite roundabout when I ride through at the.posted speed limit.
what is the speed limit?
@@KSMotoCafe 30 MPH
wow that is pretty fast- ours is 30kph (18mph) inside roundabouts - unless the roundabout is large enough for 60kph+
I went on vacation in France and drove thru a city that had no traffic lights or stop signs of any kind. Every intersection was a large roundabout. It was so smooth and pleasant to drive. I found myself hardly ever having to apply brakes. I noticed the largest difference to the roundabouts in the U.S. were the size. They were much larger in France.
did you find the learning curve pretty steep?
@@KSMotoCafe In the UK we have actual driving lessons and strict driving tests (I've heard that the USA basically has none?), so by the time someone is legally licenced to drive they have experienced hundreds of roundabouts
Makes sense now I see why more and more are coming into my city also.
yeah it is actually quite jarring how many close calls I witnessed when I was filming lol
25 or so years ago they put the first one in my city. Maybe it's because it was around the time that I was getting my license for the first time, but it never seemed confusing to me. It looks like since then we've got about 20 of them in the metro area. I hadn't actually thought about going through one on my bike yet... Guess whenever I get around to riding through one of those areas, Ima be extra nervous when I get to it, lol.
as long as the drivers around you know what they are doing, then no worries and no long stops! But where I am, people can barely drive confidently in normal light controlled intersections let alone a double lane roundabout lol
@@KSMotoCafe lol, yeah, the clip of the truck hitting that car... my first thought was "that person doesn't have a problem with roundabouts, they have a problem thinking"
Great Video. I think roundabouts, but we only have one in a couple hundred miles. I got stuck in one the other day. Just kept going around. Lol. Thanks for sharing new sub.
😂😂😂 cheers!
part of our problem here - is that so many are configured differently(of the 4 within 3 kms from me, they are all different). But mostly - I agree, education is key. I remember when they put the ones in by the Victoria Airport on MacTavish - KA-OS ensued.
Like the "new cinematic experience"
the one near YYJ is still chaotic! These ones I filmed in Langford are also horrible because most drivers entering the roundabout don't realize that the inside lane can also exit (driving across the outside lane). I saw so many close calls just while I was filming there LOL
Mc Tavish is something else man. Last month I was leaving YYJ, getting onto the highway south. Driver in from of me managed to come to a complete stop 3 separate times within the roundabout, and he was going the same way as me. 😅
Thank you for this video!
The injury risk is worse in a normal intersection since you can be hit head on or T Boned. At least in a round about both vehicles are traveling the same general direction at a reduced speed.
Now I don’t LIKE driving through them because they are kinda scary! 😂
that is totally correct!
Great video. I'll take a roundabout over a standard intersection on a bike any day. No worse feeling then being a sitting duck waiting for a car to rear end or t bone you at a red light.
Whenever I'm sitting at a light on my bike, I'm watching the cars behind me in my mirrors. It's scary when they come flying up fast and stick to my ass. The other thing that scares me is that a lot of drivers take their foot off the brake the instant the light turns green, even when it's for the other lane, so I'm always worried that some jackass will hit me from behind before I start moving just because he isn't paying attention. Some drivers are the opposite and stop about 25 feet behind me like they're afraid of getting to close to me. Sometimes, I want them closer to me so their car will trigger the light sensor, otherwise some lights will never change. Can't tell you how many times I've had to run a red light that would never change for my bike.
I know what you mean but I just don't trust current drivers to know that they know what they are doing in the roundabouts (specially the double / triple ones). I saw so many close calls just while recording these lol
yeah getting rear ended worries me too, I never go neutral at stops, I am always in gear and ready to bolt
@@bill392 I agree entirely.
Great Vid Chris. Not so funny thing is , in my town of 55,000 we have about 6 of them and they get added to the mix with out the plebeians knowing about them. What's worse, is that We the Bikers, and our BC Transit Operators seem to be the only ones that know how and "When" to signal; In , Thru , and when Exiting.... but the average cager hasn't got a frikken clue on when to enter or how signal their intent. * those cagers that do ride, myself included, seem to be conversant with the do's and don'ts of traffic circles..... and Short of the clueless ones going back to drivers - ed ....Non of the cagers I've seen have ever picked up on the jist of using a traffic circle correctly...... Maybe do a vid on it ???
yeah I honestly dont think we will ever achieve same level as the European drivers for roundabouts. the amount of close calls I get inside these circles is too much risk lol
The problem I have with the local ones are they are too small and especially when they shoehorn them into existing intersections and where they put pedestrian crossings right at the exits.
Also no standard lane directions.. some the inside lane can continue around or exit others the outside lane must exit and inside lane continue around .. etc.,no consistency.
Check out this 7 circle roundabout in the UK www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/ It gives me anxiety just imagining myself going into it.
I'm not sure what the tank commander was either seeing or doing on the Milwaukee roundabout @4:25. Normally when you hit another vehicle you should stop not go on an off road excursion to celebrate taking another driver out😂
"tank commander" LOL - thanks for this, I needed a good chuckle
I almost got hit in a roundabout in Burnaby today. Luckily I was in my car, not my bike. People are so stunned.
yikes! yeah BC is bringing on these roundabouts like mad but man there are so many bad drivers, I can never stay relaxed
Roundabouts work great assuming 2 things. 1- Everyone uses them correctly (including signals, which you didn't mention) and 2 - traffic volumes do not exceed design specs. You used a graphic of the "Magic Roundabout" from the UK. Also see the "Portwood Roundabout" to see how these things become stupid when too much traffic needs to use them.
yeah I had those data and info ready but I was worried the video would get too dry. Correct signalling is definitely important but the roundabouts in my area are so small that drivers rarely signal (also they dont know how to use it)
@@KSMotoCafe They should put on public service videos, all over BC (and the rest of Canada), rather than just hoping people 'figure it out'.
@@gibblestick agreed
You spin me right round right round
lol I can't believe that is considered old school song now
@@KSMotoCafe 🤣
Like a record baby... God, I'm old. When did that sh!t happen?
@@bill392 🤣👍🏻
They're intimidating and off-putting until you realize that you only have to check one direction as opposed to three directions the way you would at a 4-way stop. Plus if it's empty, you literally do not have to stop. Insanely efficient
100% agreed and no more head on collisions but there are some drivers who are so clueless that it is impossible to predict their movement
Roundabouts are superior and safer to 4 way intersections.
The one thing you must remember is stay in your lane and watch for fuel spills on them.
We have loads of them in the UK and they are immensely safer than crossroads or intersections.
yeah.. "stay in your lane" is something we are not good at over here in NA 🥲
Hey does KS stand for KEMP SOCIETY ?
no, what is that?
👍
In Melbourne we have hook turns. They make roundabouts look simple. At least 99% of all vehicle users do them incorrectly forcing you to do the same. You must break the law to stay safe 🤣🙃
i gotta look this up!
A video on a roundabout epic...get yourself over to Europe you will learn all you need in the first 5minutes lol
LOL yeah our driving skills as whole in North America is super basic compared to those in Europe or Asia. We are too dependent on a light system