Navigating Traffic Circles on a Bicycle

According to City of Madison:

Traffic circles slow down traffic by forcing drivers to slow to a speed that allows them to comfortably maneuver around them
Traffic circles have been reported to reduce midblock speed by about 10%
Reduction in intersection collisions on avrage by 70% and overall collisions by 28%

Good judgment should always be used to determine when Movement B can be made safely without

endangering yourself or others. Again, Movement B can be used provided that it is not prohibited by a

sign such as shown below, and that all of the normal requirements for left turns, such as yielding to

pedestrians and oncoming vehicles, are followed.

Traffic circles are different from roundabouts. Although traffic circles and roundabouts use a circular design, they operate very differently. Traffic circles are very large and are designed for high-speed vehicle operation. Roundabouts are designed as small as possible, 16 to 180 feet wide, and operate at 15 mph to 25 mph.The design of roundabouts forces drivers to slow as they approach them, then limits drivers' circulating and exit speed. It is difficult to pass through a well-designed roundabout above these design speeds. In addition to slow vehicle speeds, modern roundabouts require drivers to slow and select gaps in the circulating traffic before entering the roundabout at low speed.

Milwaukee

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