Bike Roundabout Simulation: Right-of-Way and Lanes

A chalk roundabout with four entrances, crosswalks and yield signs is drawn on the blacktop, and students ride bikes and walk through it following right-of-way rules. It applies traffic safety to urban cycling and decision-making in traffic.

How to play

1. Draw a chalk roundabout about 12 m (40 ft) across with a cone center island, four 15 m (50 ft) entry streets, crosswalks and cardstock yield signs.
2. Take 4 minutes to cover the key rules: yield to traffic already in the circle, signal your exit, take the lane confidently and respect pedestrians.
3. Split the class: 15 riders, 6 pedestrians using the crosswalks, and 4 observers, one per entrance, with an error checklist.
4. Each rider gets a card showing their exit (first, second, third) and rides for 5 minutes entering from different streets.
5. Rotate roles every 5 minutes so everyone is a rider, pedestrian and observer (15 minutes total).
6. Close with 3 minutes where observers share the most common violations.

Rules

• Ride at walking pace; no passing inside the roundabout.
• Entering riders yield to those already in the circle.
• Pedestrians in the crosswalk always have the right-of-way.
• Helmets stay buckled for the whole activity.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: take part in a wheelchair as a pedestrian or vehicle, or as an observer with the checklist.
• Visual impairment: ride with a partner on a tandem or walk as a guided pedestrian with verbal cues.
• Little bike experience: start as a pedestrian only, then ride when fewer bikes are in the circle.

Learning goals

• Apply right-of-way rules at a roundabout as a cyclist.
• Signal exit maneuvers early.
• Value safe sharing of city streets between cyclists and pedestrians.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bikes: 15
• helmets: 15
• cones: 16
• sidewalk chalk: 6
• cardstock sheets: 8

Teacher tip

The usual mistake is exiting without signaling or from the inside lane; stand at the busiest exit. Cap it at 8 bikes in the circle at once if space is tight.

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