Cycle lanes on roundabouts

by Peter
(Denmark)

We are already warned that cyclists in Denmark including surprisingly fast battery powered cycles and mopeds must always be given priority in pretty much every situation. Particularly in the city, you must always be on the lookout for them coming from any angle, including from behind (or even from straight ahead) on either side. Road junction design is not necessarly Denmark's finest contribution to intuitive road safety.

We are already warned that when on a main road wanting to turn right, motorists must actually stop whilst still in the main road if a cyclist is coming along behind them in the cycle lane intent on going straight on. The cyclist or moped behind has priority and does not need to heed your right signal or slow down.

But the most unexpected cyclist priority is perhaps on those roundabouts which have a marked cycle lane all the way round the outside. You must of course be very careful when you enter such a roundabout that no cyclist is already on it, coming from your left. But the most unintuitive priority is once you have safely got onto the roundabout but want to exit. You almost need your head on a swivel stick, or at least very well set up mirrors because you must be prepared to stop in the middle of the roundabout to let any cyclist behind ýou overtake without them slowing in case they wish to continue on the roundabout past your exit. This may sound unlikely but cyclists do know they have priority and some travel very fast around the outside lane and unless you are careful could end up banana -ring your passenger door and doing themselves an injury in the process which will cost you dear!

Be warned! In Denmark, cyclists and moped riders are the royalty of the road.