05-03-2018, 11:08 AM
(05-03-2018, 10:37 AM)robdrimmie Wrote:(05-03-2018, 08:36 AM)plam Wrote: I heard that the mega roundabout at Ottawa and Homer Watson is still pretty scary to cross, because there are like 3 lanes of cars in each direction, so even if one lane entering the roundabout yields, you can get flattened by the subsequent lanes. Should there be a beg button controlling access to the roundabout? Is there a better solution?
I cross the roundabout by foot there on a pretty regular basis, especially now that I'm cycling again most days. I walk my bike through it on the sidewalks rather than ride on the road though.
During rush hour periods, I feel quite safe. Traffic is typically backed up enough that the cars are stopped or moving very slowly, and I can make eye contact with all the drivers. It does usually take a minute or two for everyone to figure out that a pedestrian is trying to cross, and I have no shame about standing in front of someone who has stopped until the next lane is clear.
I think now that construction has settled people are following normal conventions and it's the same as crossing at any other 2+ lane roundabout in town.
Anecdotally, there's usually another pedestrian in the pair of roundabouts, but I haven't been keeping meaningful count so that's very subject to confirmation bias. I've been surprised how many pedestrians use the system, though there has typically been a low to moderate amount of foot traffic in the area so it probably shouldn't be that surprising.
The point where I find it to be most difficult is crossing at Alpine, specifically from the Lowe's corner to the McDonald's corner, when there is a bus or truck or other large vehicle in the right lane, especially at night. I've walked back from the intersection to encourage such large vehicles to move on. I have no visibility, and I have no confidence that drivers will see a stopped vehicle and conform. Most will, but I'm not going to take that gamble.
FWIW I believe most of the "sidewalks" there are actually MUTs where cycling is permitted. Of course, legally crossing is not, because of course it isn't.
That being said, not that I cross often, but sometimes I ride through, and sometimes I walk. I never trust drivers to stop, but I am more than willing to put my bike in the middle of the lane and force drivers to stop.
As for ped traffic, yes, there are actually people who do it. My partner was walking through there daily for 8 years until just recently (after she was hit, she thought a change was in order). Drivers have this perception that "nobody" uses it...but that's really more of a statement about how drivers very often don't notice pedestrians who are there.