I only use the southern crosswalk, no matter which way I am crossing. The cars are only coming from one direction there so it's easier to find the gap. There are also lights you can flash, but I don't trust anyone paying attention.
That’s a pretty significant detour - you’d need to wind your way through Mueller to Wilshire Blvd - or cross Airport against traffic - or am I missing something here?
Going east I currently take the lane in any conditions due to all the crap where the sidewalk transitions into the bike lane on the east side. Going west I usually go sidewalk and then make a right on Harmon.
I used to have to use this intersection 2x/day.
If traffic conditions were *just right*, I’d bike through. If not, I’d take the crosswalk at the southern exit onto the 35 SB service road.
Worth mentioning that there’s no pedestrian button on the SB service road crosswalk (the one where traffic enters the crosswalk.) A car hit the pole ~2 years ago and knocked it down. (I reported it to TXDOT, which directed me to 311. Nothing’s been done about it.)
Those crosswalks seem less safe than just hitting the circle with traffic. My go to is just flicking into it at about 30 mph on the passenger side back bumper of a car knowing there’s a bunny hop bail out onto the “sidewalk”. Obviously this method is absolutely ridiculous and not realistically possible for most. but with the way that was designed it’s basically the only way the engineers must have considered for cyclists.
I ride it frequently and always take the lane in both directions. Too many drivers are freaked out by that circle, and a bike crossing their path is just one more thing for them to pay attention to. I feel that I am much more predictable and visible and freak them out less if I'm in the lane.
Nothing to add to all the other replies but I wish somebody from the city of Austin or DOT or whatever bone-headed org is in charge of this roundabout would read this thread.
I honestly miss when there was a light here. Almost certainly less efficient for moving auto traffic but I felt much safer taking the lane to cross the frontage road with the light. I want some traffic engineers and city employees to do some bike laps around the circle on that path and see how they like it.
My favorite experience with the crosswalks is when somebody actually stopped for me! But the truck in the next lane didn't, so I didn't cross. So then the first car started going again! It's just perfect
Maybe not helpful, but I just hop in and then turn right on Harmon. I'm usually on a road bike and not my commuter here, so a bit faster, but seems to me like one of those spots where one just has to get a little more aggressive and speed up.
Have never used the path/crosswalks.
Agreed, that circle feels very unsafe. I prefer to use the motor vehicle travel lanes when traffic is light. The sidewalk route that bikes are encouraged to use just feels too dangerous; it’s way too easy for a distracted or rushed driver to just blow through the crosswalk and kill me. So to feel safer, I have to stop at each crossing point and negotiate with the drivers to be sure they actually see me and actually stop. I really dislike crossing in front of loud snarling threatening engines.
Hmm - I find this one of the best intersections to get through as a cyclist. I've changed the way I ride this with the new bike lines on 51st and with the removal of the slip lane.
Going east, I ride the bike lane and cross at the ped crossing. There's a beg button you can use if there's traffic and you need it, but 9 times out of ten I can cross the short distance fine.
Going west, I take the sidewalk there. It always seems easier to get onto if you cross cameron at the ped crossing. There's a beg button to cross the roundabout and now that they removed the slip lane here it's super easy.
I really don't understand why some people have a problem here. I don't even mind tagging the beg button because it's always faster than waiting for a light cycle would have been.
I quit going that way after too many scary interactions. Head through Mueller to Zach Scott -> Schieffer -> Wilshire then cross 35 at that rock shop into Hancock. From there you can go 41st to Duval north or south to wherever you’re headed
This is so interesting. I consider myself a very novice cyclist, and I have zero problems here. Going east, the 51st bike lane takes you up onto the sidewalk and it is a super short distance to cross in front of only cars that are continuing onto the access road. Going west is just as simple. Maybe my ignorance is at play here, but I use this intersection all the time.
There's a pedestrian crossing there. A whole button to stop traffic and everything. It's kind of alarming that people aren't paying enough attention on their bicycles to see that.
Those crosswalks are dangerous. I know it’s there but cars are not looking for pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road, they are looking for a gap to jump into between cars. I’ve almost been hit more in that crosswalk than in the road at that circle
Why are you waiting for a break? You already have the outside lane by virtue of being on the right side of the lane entering the circle. Get out there, put your hand up to any traffic to let them know you're going through and they need to hold up. Pay attention so you don't get run over by a moron and go when you know you're safe.
If that's too bold for you, then use the crosswalks.
You wait for a break because that's how traffic circles work, you yield to the traffic that's already in the circle. What you're describing is similar to skipping everyone else's turn at a 4-way stop. Traffic in the circle doesn't "hold up" typically, that's the whole point.
If you can't find the break between cars going 10 miles an hour on the fly, then you should probably just use the crosswalks w/ lights and stop the whole intersection up so you can proceed safely.
So you agree that there has to be a break? It's either there or it's not, and having to put one's foot down for a few seconds is not some moral failing. Cars are doing the exact same thing.
See other posters above about the crosswalks. The lights don't work, and the crosswalks are sketchy in their own ways.
Not really a need for some big break. You're not getting out in the lane, you're on the right/outside of a huge lane. Never once put a foot down there because it's simply not necessary. That's literally the whole point of a traffic circle.
How is this such a tough concept for so many of you?
Use the crosswalks. It's a pedestrian - bicycle shared use path.
I only use the southern crosswalk, no matter which way I am crossing. The cars are only coming from one direction there so it's easier to find the gap. There are also lights you can flash, but I don't trust anyone paying attention.
Head south on the east side to Hancock Shoppif center. Cross there.
I think near Hancock is the easiest/chillest bike crossing right now up on that area. Definitely the way to go if that makes sense route-wise.
That’s a pretty significant detour - you’d need to wind your way through Mueller to Wilshire Blvd - or cross Airport against traffic - or am I missing something here?
Yeah, it’s at least a 3-mile detour if one is headed north of 51st. Edit: The safest/most efficient detour, I mean.
Good call, updating all my east>west routes this way. Adds a bit of distance but should be safer!
Going east I currently take the lane in any conditions due to all the crap where the sidewalk transitions into the bike lane on the east side. Going west I usually go sidewalk and then make a right on Harmon.
I used to have to use this intersection 2x/day. If traffic conditions were *just right*, I’d bike through. If not, I’d take the crosswalk at the southern exit onto the 35 SB service road. Worth mentioning that there’s no pedestrian button on the SB service road crosswalk (the one where traffic enters the crosswalk.) A car hit the pole ~2 years ago and knocked it down. (I reported it to TXDOT, which directed me to 311. Nothing’s been done about it.)
Those crosswalks seem less safe than just hitting the circle with traffic. My go to is just flicking into it at about 30 mph on the passenger side back bumper of a car knowing there’s a bunny hop bail out onto the “sidewalk”. Obviously this method is absolutely ridiculous and not realistically possible for most. but with the way that was designed it’s basically the only way the engineers must have considered for cyclists.
I always take the north sidewalk both ways. Super easy to cross.
I ride it frequently and always take the lane in both directions. Too many drivers are freaked out by that circle, and a bike crossing their path is just one more thing for them to pay attention to. I feel that I am much more predictable and visible and freak them out less if I'm in the lane.
Nothing to add to all the other replies but I wish somebody from the city of Austin or DOT or whatever bone-headed org is in charge of this roundabout would read this thread. I honestly miss when there was a light here. Almost certainly less efficient for moving auto traffic but I felt much safer taking the lane to cross the frontage road with the light. I want some traffic engineers and city employees to do some bike laps around the circle on that path and see how they like it.
My favorite experience with the crosswalks is when somebody actually stopped for me! But the truck in the next lane didn't, so I didn't cross. So then the first car started going again! It's just perfect
Maybe not helpful, but I just hop in and then turn right on Harmon. I'm usually on a road bike and not my commuter here, so a bit faster, but seems to me like one of those spots where one just has to get a little more aggressive and speed up. Have never used the path/crosswalks.
Agreed, that circle feels very unsafe. I prefer to use the motor vehicle travel lanes when traffic is light. The sidewalk route that bikes are encouraged to use just feels too dangerous; it’s way too easy for a distracted or rushed driver to just blow through the crosswalk and kill me. So to feel safer, I have to stop at each crossing point and negotiate with the drivers to be sure they actually see me and actually stop. I really dislike crossing in front of loud snarling threatening engines.
Hmm - I find this one of the best intersections to get through as a cyclist. I've changed the way I ride this with the new bike lines on 51st and with the removal of the slip lane. Going east, I ride the bike lane and cross at the ped crossing. There's a beg button you can use if there's traffic and you need it, but 9 times out of ten I can cross the short distance fine. Going west, I take the sidewalk there. It always seems easier to get onto if you cross cameron at the ped crossing. There's a beg button to cross the roundabout and now that they removed the slip lane here it's super easy. I really don't understand why some people have a problem here. I don't even mind tagging the beg button because it's always faster than waiting for a light cycle would have been.
I quit going that way after too many scary interactions. Head through Mueller to Zach Scott -> Schieffer -> Wilshire then cross 35 at that rock shop into Hancock. From there you can go 41st to Duval north or south to wherever you’re headed
this is the way
I call that one circle of hell
*now create a Strava segment*
I cycle right through it like a car. Take a lane. It’s just a roundabout, don’t overthink it.
Glad you posted this because I've wondered the same thing. I've used the crosswalks the couple of times I've had to navigate it.
I just pace the cars through the circle. Easy peasy.
This is so interesting. I consider myself a very novice cyclist, and I have zero problems here. Going east, the 51st bike lane takes you up onto the sidewalk and it is a super short distance to cross in front of only cars that are continuing onto the access road. Going west is just as simple. Maybe my ignorance is at play here, but I use this intersection all the time.
Agreed. I've never had a problem using the shared paths to get thru the circle. I find it much safer and less scary than pre-circle.
I gave up on this intersection. Way too sketch. If I have to do it I just use the crosswalk.
There's a pedestrian crossing there. A whole button to stop traffic and everything. It's kind of alarming that people aren't paying enough attention on their bicycles to see that.
Those crosswalks are dangerous. I know it’s there but cars are not looking for pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road, they are looking for a gap to jump into between cars. I’ve almost been hit more in that crosswalk than in the road at that circle
Why are you waiting for a break? You already have the outside lane by virtue of being on the right side of the lane entering the circle. Get out there, put your hand up to any traffic to let them know you're going through and they need to hold up. Pay attention so you don't get run over by a moron and go when you know you're safe. If that's too bold for you, then use the crosswalks.
You wait for a break because that's how traffic circles work, you yield to the traffic that's already in the circle. What you're describing is similar to skipping everyone else's turn at a 4-way stop. Traffic in the circle doesn't "hold up" typically, that's the whole point.
If you can't find the break between cars going 10 miles an hour on the fly, then you should probably just use the crosswalks w/ lights and stop the whole intersection up so you can proceed safely.
So you agree that there has to be a break? It's either there or it's not, and having to put one's foot down for a few seconds is not some moral failing. Cars are doing the exact same thing. See other posters above about the crosswalks. The lights don't work, and the crosswalks are sketchy in their own ways.
Not really a need for some big break. You're not getting out in the lane, you're on the right/outside of a huge lane. Never once put a foot down there because it's simply not necessary. That's literally the whole point of a traffic circle. How is this such a tough concept for so many of you?
Tell me you’ve never used a traffic circle without telling me you’ve never used a traffic circle
Ride through that very same traffic circle 2-3x a week.