Roundabouts

Roundabouts in Peterborough

The City of Peterborough has opened its first major roundabout, located at the intersection of Parkhill Road West, Brealey Drive and Ackison Road. These circular intersections are an alternative to the traditional traffic signal intersection design. Roundabouts can improve road safety, manage increased traffic demand, and help improve air quality by eliminating unnecessary stops and vehicle idling.

What are roundabouts?

A roundabout is a circular intersection where two or more roads meet. Traffic circulates through the roundabout in a counter-clockwise direction, to the right of a central island. All entering vehicles must yield to traffic already in the roundabout, as well as pedestrians or cyclists where there is a signed Pedestrian Crossover.

Drivers

Entering the roundabout

• Always slow down when approaching a roundabout.
• Stop for any pedestrians or cyclists using a signed Pedestrian Crossover.
• Yield to any traffic or cyclists currently in the roundabout, and stop if needed.
• Proceed only when there is a safe gap in traffic.

Within the roundabout

• Always drive counter-clockwise in a roundabout.
• Drive slowly and be alert for entering traffic.
• Never pass another vehicle or stop within a roundabout.
• Remember that all entering traffic is required to yield to you.

Exiting the roundabout

• Always signal right as you exit the roundabout.
• Stop at the yield to pedestrian line for any pedestrians or cyclists at a signed Pedestrian Crossover.

Cyclists

Cyclists typically have two options at a roundabout depending on their degree of comfort riding in traffic:

Experienced cyclists

• Ride as if you were driving a car.
• Merge from the bike lane into the vehicular travel lane before entering the roundabout.
• Ride in the middle of the lane while in the roundabout; do not hug the curb.
• Use hand signals to indicate when you are exiting the roundabout.

Less confident cyclists

• The shared pathway and Pedestrian Crossover provides an alternative crossing option for cyclists who would be more comfortable navigating the roundabout as a pedestrian rather than as a vehicle.
• Use the off-ramps located in advance of the roundabout to access the shared pathway.
• Dismount and walk your bicycle at the signed Pedestrian Crossover.

Pedestrians

• Pedestrians must cross at signed Pedestrian Crossover locations and should never use the central island.
• Wait at the curb, indicating you want to cross.
• Look and listen for a safe gap in traffic flow.
• Do not cross until the driver stops; drivers are legally required to stop at a signed Pedestrian Crossover.
• Keep and make eye contact with drivers in all lanes, use your finger to point as your cross.
• Stop and wait on the splitter island and ensure there is a safe gap in traffic on the other side of the splitter island. Repeat the process above when crossing from the splitter island.

Additional tips for pedestrians

• Drivers are more likely to yield if your body language shows you intend to cross.
• Enter the crosswalk briskly and deliberately once you have confirmed the drivers have stopped.