roundabouts are so much better than crossroads, for everyone.
except pedestrians, for a typical design found around here
how is it not good for pedestrians? navigating a round about is much easier as you have to look for one side, not 4
Are you a frequent user of roundabouts as a pedestrian?
It adds significantly to the distance I have to walk because crosswalks need to be set back so far from the intersection. Drivers have to stop in the roundabout to allow pedestrians to cross, and they are afraid to stop “in the intersection” to allow it, so they don’t. I don’t know what you mean you only have to look one way, cars still come from both directions, except you can’t be certain whether a car in the roundabout is going to try to exit where you are crossing. Motorists have a lot more demands on their attention going trough a roundabout and are often not looking for pedestrians, so if you count on them stopping like they are supposed to when you are attempting to cross, you are liable to be hit.
Roundabouts are not designed to reduce collisions. In fact, some data say that they increase them. They are intended to reduce the severity of collisions. That is little help when you are a pedestrian.
Here’s a good source on the issues pedestrians face at roundabouts: https://streets.mn/2017/11/17/are-roundabouts-safer-for-pedestrians/
The roundabouts in your article are humongous. As you are from Canada, and @urheber and me are from Germany, let me show you the typical size of our roundabouts
It’s quicker than waiting for a green light, mostly indistinguishable from walking straight.
PS: in Germany the cars have to stop if you want to cross on a zebra crosswalk
