How to use a Roundabout

Pedestrians
Cyclists
Motorists

The Region of Waterloo has developed software that demonstrates how pedestrians, cyclists and motorists should travel through the intersection.

To view this demonstration: Demo

Pedestrians

Roundabouts are designed to enable pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time. Look and listen for approaching traffic. Choose a safe time to cross from the curb ramp to the median opening.

  1. Walk on the sidewalk/path at all times.
  2. Never cross the circular roadway to the central island.
  3. Cross only at the designated crosswalks.
  4. Look in direction of the oncoming traffic and wait for an acceptable gap before entering the crosswalk.
  5. Proceed to the splitter island. Use the splitter island as a refuge. Again, look in the direction of oncoming traffic and wait for an acceptable gap before proceeding to cross.

Cyclists

Well-designed, low-speed, single-lane roundabouts should not present much difficulty to cyclists.

Cyclists have two options for navigating a roundabout:

  1. Ride as if you were operating a motor vehicle. Vehicles in roundabouts travel close to the speed you ride your bicycle. When riding in a bike lane or on the shoulder, merge into the travel lane before the bike lane shoulder ends. Obey all the same driving instructions as for vehicles. It is generally safest for cyclists to claim the lane. Don't hug the curb. Ride close to the middle of the lane. Be cautious of drivers' blind spots.
  2. Dismount and use sidewalks and crosswalks as a pedestrian. Some roundabouts may have a ramp that leads to a shared bicycle-pedestrian path that runs around the perimeter of the roundabout. At the other locations where there is no shared bicycle-pedestrian path, cyclists should obey signs, dismount and walk bicycles.

Motorists

Right or left turns
Through movements
Large vehicles
Driving a truck
Emergency vehicles

Right or left turns

Turning right or exiting at the first exit around the roundabout:

  1. Unless posted otherwise, use only the right lane if there are multiple approach lanes. Use your right-turn signal.
  2. Reduce your speed.
  3. Keep to the right of the splitter island.
  4. Watch for cyclists and allow them to enter the roadway in front of you.
  5. Watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross. Be prepared to stop if a pedestrian is already in the crosswalk.
  6. Move up to the yield line and wait for an acceptable gap in traffic. Do not enter next to someone already in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit. (If another vehicle is stopped at the yield line, do not stop on the crosswalk. Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians).
  7. Enter the roundabout when there is an adequate gap in traffic within the circular roadway.
  8. Within the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic. Always keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
  9. Do not attempt to overtake other vehicles, including cyclists.
  10. Keep to the outside of the circulatory roadway within the roundabout and continue to use your right-turn signal through your exit. If there are multiple exit lanes, use the right-hand lane.
  11. Maintain your slow speed until past the crosswalk and watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross and cyclists on the road as you exit.

Turning left or making a U-turn (i.e., exiting more than halfway around the roundabout):

  1. Unless posted otherwise, use one of the left-hand lanes if there are two approach lanes. Use your left-turn signal.
  2. Reduce your speed.
  3. Keep to the right of the splitter island.
  4. Watch for cyclists and allow them to enter the roadway in front of you.
  5. Watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross. Be prepared to stop if a pedestrian is already in the crosswalk.
  6. Move up to the yield line and wait for an acceptable gap in traffic. Do not enter next to someone already in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit. (If another vehicle is stopped at the yield line, do not stop on the crosswalk. Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians).
  7. Within the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic. Always keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
  8. Maintain your position relative to other vehicles. Do not attempt to overtake other vehicles, including cyclists. Stay to the inside. In a multi-lane roundabout, do not change lanes until you are ready to exit.
  9. When you have passed the last exit before the one you want, use your right-turn signal and continue to use your right-turn signal through your exit. Maintain a slow speed.
  10. Watch out for leading or adjacent vehicles on the outside (for multi-lane roundabouts) that continue to circulate around the roundabout.
  11. Maintain your slow speed until past the crosswalk and watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross and cyclists on the road as you exit.

Through movements

  1. Unless posted otherwise, use either lane if there are two approach lanes. Do not use any turn signals on approach.
  2. Reduce your speed.
  3. Keep to the right of the splitter island.
  4. Watch for cyclists and allow them to enter the roadway in front of you.
  5. Watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross. Be prepared to stop if a pedestrian is already in the crosswalk.
  6. Move up to the yield line and wait for an acceptable gap in traffic. Do not enter next to someone already in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit. (If another vehicle is stopped at the yield line, do not stop on the crosswalk. Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians).
  7. Within the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic. Always keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
  8. Maintain your position relative to other vehicles. Do not attempt to overtake other vehicles, including cyclists. For multi-lane roundabouts, stay to the inside if you entered from the left lane, or stay to the outside if you entered from the right lane. Maintain your position relative to other vehicles.
  9. When you have passed the last exit before the one you want, use your right-turn signal and continue to use your right-turn signal through your exit. Maintain a slow speed.
  10. Watch out for leading or adjacent vehicles on the outside (for multi-lane roundabouts) that continue to circulate around the roundabout.
  11. Maintain your slow speed until past the crosswalk and watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross and cyclists on the road as you exit.

Large vehicles

When car drivers approach a roundabout, do not overtake large vehicles (trucks and buses). Large vehicles may have to swing wide on the approach or within the roundabout. Watch for their turn signals and give them plenty of room, especially since they may obscure other conflicting users.

Driving a truck

To negotiate a roundabout in a truck, you may need to use the full width of the roadway, including mountable aprons if provided. Be mindful of the location of all other users of the roundabouts. Prior to entering the roundabout, you may need to occupy both lanes. Signal your intentions well in advance and satisfy yourself that other users are aware of you and are giving you consideration.

Emergency vehicles

If you are in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle is approaching, proceed to beyond the splitter island of your exit before pulling over. If you haven't entered the roundabout yet, wait until the emergency vehicle has passed before entering. These steps will help to clear out the roundabout for the emergency vehicle.

Adapted from: Federal Highway Administration, Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, Report No. FHWA -RD-00-067, June 2000.

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