2010 klr650...

[Lourd Baltimore]

Here's an interesting article from the BBC on roundabout uptake in the US. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13863498 Check out the video as well. Nice Yes soundtrack and the mayor of Carmel, IN seems clued-in as well. I remember seeing a few new roundabouts in Southern MD before we moved to the UK in 2007. I though of them more as a novelty then. However after being in the UK since then, I have found them indispensable. Traffic would grind to a halt without them in some towns, cities, and major intersections. How about where you live? What has been your colonial experience with roundabouts and what are negative comments made by their detractors? For motorcycle use, they are nice. No more waiting for traffic light sensors. However, you do need to be aware for diesel/oil spills and potholes as you don't want to hit either while in the circle. Are any of you (bi)cyclists that have to negotiate them? Are your safety needs provided for in the design? Note: Do not not confuse roundabouts with the massively awkward traffic circles (e.g. Columbus Circle in NYC). Josh . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[RobertWichert]

We have very few roundabouts where I live in California. People generally like them, as do I. In the UK, they become tedious, but as you say, necessary. It seems like even on a major road, you have a roundabout every quarter mile! That seems a bit much, but it works. Robert P. Wichert P.Eng LEED AP +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 7/1/2011 1:52 AM, Lourd Baltimore wrote: > > > > Here's an interesting article from the BBC on roundabout uptake in the US. > http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13863498 > > Check out the video as well. Nice Yes soundtrack and the mayor of Carmel, > IN seems clued-in as well. > > I remember seeing a few new roundabouts in Southern MD before we moved to > the UK in 2007. > I though of them more as a novelty then. However after being in the UK > since > then, I have found them indispensable. > Traffic would grind to a halt without them in some towns, cities, and > major > intersections. > > How about where you live? What has been your colonial experience with > roundabouts and what are negative comments made by their detractors? > > For motorcycle use, they are nice. No more waiting for traffic light > sensors. > However, you do need to be aware for diesel/oil spills and potholes as > you don't > want to hit either while in the circle. > > Are any of you (bi)cyclists that have to negotiate them? Are your > safety needs > provided for in the design? > > Note: Do not not confuse roundabouts with the massively awkward > traffic circles > (e.g. Columbus Circle in NYC). > > Josh > . > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Flower Jamie]

We have roundabouts here in Humboldt County, California USA. In a car, on a moto, or on a bicycle, I like them, for the obvious free-flowing reasons. I'm wondering now pedestrians like them (notice I say that like they're a different species than me!). A stop sign, especially a four-way, gives the walker a chance to assert him/herself that s/he doesn't get with a roundabout. In Cal the pedestrian has the right of way in a crosswalk, but it's not a right one asserts without risk, to say the least. I'd like to see people use their turn signals in roundabouts, but most folks have obviously decided it isn't necessary.

[Mike Frey]

Must be a Northern half / Southern half of CA type thing. Roundabouts are an alien concept to my California (SJ Valley) born and raised wife. We have them scattered around in PA, and while on motorcycle, I prefer them to stop signs or traffic signals. They are easy to get accustomed to, and with the maneuverability of a bike, relatively easy to negotiate, but you do have to pay attention to traffic flow and right of way. Mike

On 7/1/2011 10:55 AM, Flower Jamie wrote: > > We have roundabouts here in Humboldt County, California USA. In a car, > on a moto, or on a bicycle, I like them, for the obvious free-flowing > reasons. I'm wondering now pedestrians like them (notice I say that > like they're a different species than me!). A stop sign, especially a > four-way, gives the walker a chance to assert him/herself that s/he > doesn't get with a roundabout. In Cal the pedestrian has the right of > way in a crosswalk, but it's not a right one asserts without risk, to > say the least. I'd like to see people use their turn signals in > roundabouts, but most folks have obviously decided it isn't necessary. > >

[Shane]

Here in S. FL. people can't seem to figure them out. Many people simply treat them as 4 way stops!

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, RobertWichert wrote: > > We have very few roundabouts where I live in California. People > generally like them, as do I. In the UK, they become tedious, but as > you say, necessary. It seems like even on a major road, you have a > roundabout every quarter mile! That seems a bit much, but it works. > > > Robert P. Wichert P.Eng LEED AP > +1 916 966 9060 > FAX +1 916 966 9068 > > > > > > > > > > > > =============================================== > > > On 7/1/2011 1:52 AM, Lourd Baltimore wrote: > > > > > > > > Here's an interesting article from the BBC on roundabout uptake in the US. > > http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13863498 > > > > Check out the video as well. Nice Yes soundtrack and the mayor of Carmel, > > IN seems clued-in as well. > > > > I remember seeing a few new roundabouts in Southern MD before we moved to > > the UK in 2007. > > I though of them more as a novelty then. However after being in the UK > > since > > then, I have found them indispensable. > > Traffic would grind to a halt without them in some towns, cities, and > > major > > intersections. > > > > How about where you live? What has been your colonial experience with > > roundabouts and what are negative comments made by their detractors? > > > > For motorcycle use, they are nice. No more waiting for traffic light > > sensors. > > However, you do need to be aware for diesel/oil spills and potholes as > > you don't > > want to hit either while in the circle. > > > > Are any of you (bi)cyclists that have to negotiate them? Are your > > safety needs > > provided for in the design? > > > > Note: Do not not confuse roundabouts with the massively awkward > > traffic circles > > (e.g. Columbus Circle in NYC). > > > > Josh > > . > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Tim Pruitt]

Roundabouts have started showing up some in Tennessee, at least in the Eastern part of the state (not sure about others). I like them, it speeds up traffic flow in the areas where I use them. Before I could be stopped at one particular interection for 15 miutes crawling up to my turn to stop, then go at the 3 way stop. Now I seldom have to do more than slow down, yield as needed or move on into the raoundabout and on my way. In the heat of summer that is a huge improvement on a bike. IMHO From: Lourd Baltimore To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, July 1, 2011 4:52 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] [NKLR] Roundabouts Here's an interesting article from the BBC on roundabout uptake in the US. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13863498 Check out the video as well. Nice Yes soundtrack and the mayor of Carmel, IN seems clued-in as well. I remember seeing a few new roundabouts in Southern MD before we moved to the UK in 2007. I though of them more as a novelty then. However after being in the UK since then, I have found them indispensable. Traffic would grind to a halt without them in some towns, cities, and major intersections. How about where you live? What has been your colonial experience with roundabouts and what are negative comments made by their detractors? For motorcycle use, they are nice. No more waiting for traffic light sensors. However, you do need to be aware for diesel/oil spills and potholes as you don't want to hit either while in the circle. Are any of you (bi)cyclists that have to negotiate them? Are your safety needs provided for in the design? Note: Do not not confuse roundabouts with the massively awkward traffic circles (e.g. Columbus Circle in NYC). Josh . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Josh Cissell]

There are 3 here in Oxford, Mississippi and they are great. It takes a little while for people to catch on, but when they figure it out, it is so much better. Josh

On Jul 2, 2011 12:02 PM, "Tim Pruitt" wrote: > Roundabouts have started showing up some in Tennessee, at least in the Eastern part of the state (not sure about others). I like them, it speeds up traffic flow in the areas where I use them. Before I could be stopped at one particular interection for 15 miutes crawling up to my turn to stop, then go at the 3 way stop. Now I seldom have to do more than slow down, yield as needed or move on into the raoundabout and on my way. In the heat of summer that is a huge improvement on a bike. > > IMHO > > From: Lourd Baltimore > To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Friday, July 1, 2011 4:52 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] [NKLR] Roundabouts > > > > > > Here's an interesting article from the BBC on roundabout uptake in the US. > http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13863498 > > Check out the video as well. Nice Yes soundtrack and the mayor of Carmel, > IN seems clued-in as well. > > I remember seeing a few new roundabouts in Southern MD before we moved to > the UK in 2007. > I though of them more as a novelty then. However after being in the UK since > then, I have found them indispensable. > Traffic would grind to a halt without them in some towns, cities, and major > intersections. > > How about where you live? What has been your colonial experience with > roundabouts and what are negative comments made by their detractors? > > For motorcycle use, they are nice. No more waiting for traffic light sensors. > However, you do need to be aware for diesel/oil spills and potholes as you don't > want to hit either while in the circle. > > Are any of you (bi)cyclists that have to negotiate them? Are your safety needs > provided for in the design? > > Note: Do not not confuse roundabouts with the massively awkward traffic circles > (e.g. Columbus Circle in NYC). > > Josh > . > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jim Douglas]

I only know of two here in the NTexas area, Addison and in a giant parking lot and both will cause folks to totally freak out when they come to

On 7/2/2011 1:53 PM, Josh Cissell wrote: > > There are 3 here in Oxford, Mississippi and they are great. It takes a > little while for people to catch on, but when they figure it out, it is so > much better. > > Josh > On Jul 2, 2011 12:02 PM, "Tim Pruitt" > wrote: > > Roundabouts have started showing up some in Tennessee, at least in the > Eastern part of the state (not sure about others). I like them, it > speeds up > traffic flow in the areas where I use them. Before I could be stopped > at one > particular interection for 15 miutes crawling up to my turn to stop, > then go > at the 3 way stop. Now I seldom have to do more than slow down, yield as > needed or move on into the raoundabout and on my way. In the heat of > summer > that is a huge improvement on a bike. > > > > IMHO > > > > From: Lourd Baltimore > > > To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com > > Sent: Friday, July 1, 2011 4:52 AM > > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] [NKLR] Roundabouts > > > > > > > > > > > > Here's an interesting article from the BBC on roundabout uptake in > the US. > > http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13863498 > > > > Check out the video as well. Nice Yes soundtrack and the mayor of > Carmel, > > IN seems clued-in as well. > > > > I remember seeing a few new roundabouts in Southern MD before we > moved to > > the UK in 2007. > > I though of them more as a novelty then. However after being in the UK > since > > then, I have found them indispensable. > > Traffic would grind to a halt without them in some towns, cities, and > major > > intersections. > > > > How about where you live? What has been your colonial experience with > > roundabouts and what are negative comments made by their detractors? > > > > For motorcycle use, they are nice. No more waiting for traffic light > sensors. > > However, you do need to be aware for diesel/oil spills and potholes > as you > don't > > want to hit either while in the circle. > > > > Are any of you (bi)cyclists that have to negotiate them? Are your safety > needs > > provided for in the design? > > > > Note: Do not not confuse roundabouts with the massively awkward traffic > circles > > (e.g. Columbus Circle in NYC). > > > > Josh > > . > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[dooden]

I have driven in roundabouts for many years, England had them in the early 80's. We just got one not long ago in this backwoods town.. already had somebody "fail" bad.. went thru the circle, thru the traffic signs up and over curb, backdown curb and come to a rest in the side of a house... Stupid is as stupid does... Dooden A15 Green Ape --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Mike Frey wrote>

> Must be a Northern half / Southern half of CA type thing. Roundabouts > are an alien concept to my California (SJ Valley) born and raised wife. > > We have them scattered around in PA, and while on motorcycle, I prefer > them to stop signs or traffic signals. They are easy to get accustomed > to, and with the maneuverability of a bike, relatively easy to > negotiate, but you do have to pay attention to traffic flow and right of > way. > > Mike > > On 7/1/2011 10:55 AM, Flower Jamie wrote: > > > > We have roundabouts here in Humboldt County, California USA. In a car, > > on a moto, or on a bicycle, I like them, for the obvious free-flowing > > reasons. I'm wondering now pedestrians like them (notice I say that > > like they're a different species than me!). A stop sign, especially a > > four-way, gives the walker a chance to assert him/herself that s/he > > doesn't get with a roundabout. In Cal the pedestrian has the right of > > way in a crosswalk, but it's not a right one asserts without risk, to > > say the least. I'd like to see people use their turn signals in > > roundabouts, but most folks have obviously decided it isn't necessary. > > > > >

[Vik Banerjee]

Thanks for answering all my questions. I took a look at all the DS bikes that would work for me and after a lot of consideration end up with a new 2010 KLR. http://klr650blog.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/the-klr-is-not-my-dream-bike/ If money was no object I'd probably be rolling on a KTM Adventure 990, but factoring cost and what I really need vs. what I want the KLR made the most sense. Riding it home from the dealer it reminded me why I love these bikes. They are really practical fun rides...=-) safe riding, Vik Banerjee threeohm@... www.thelazyrando.com