This report gives an account of a study into rules governing priority for cyclists on roundabouts constructed in The Netherlands after the year 1985, with separate cycle paths. At these relatively new roundabouts, approaching traffic has to give way to roundabout traffic. Until recently, cyclists in these traffic situations were not given priority. Attention is also given to the `right-of-way rule' on Dutch roundabouts dating from before 1985. Traffic usually does not have `right-of-way' on these older roundabouts. The study consisted of the following parts: (1) a brief literature study; (2) a survey conducted among Dutch highway department members; (3) traffic observation tests carried out at Dutch roundabouts with separate cycle paths; and (4) a small-scale, comparative accident study. Priority should be given to traffic on roundabouts dating from before 1985, in the interests of both safety and of road capacity. It is also recommended that cyclists should not be given `right-of-way' on roundabouts with separate cycle paths. This recommendation is made in view of both the local safety situation and of the safety on roundabouts in general (standardization).
Abstract