Chalk Roundabout: In, Around and Out by Bike

A full-size chalk roundabout to practice entering, circulating and exiting by bike. Students learn to read traffic and decide when it's safer to get off and walk.

How to play

1. Draw a 10 m roundabout with a central island of cones and four numbered entries (5 min).
2. Briefing: yield to traffic already inside, signal your exit with your arm and leave from the outer lane (4 min).
3. Slow practice: each rider gets an exit number as they enter (7 min).
4. Mixed traffic: students in pinnies act as cars walking briskly around, and riders have to merge (10 min).
5. Group analysis: where should a rider be positioned to be seen, and when is it better to walk the bike across (4 min).

Rules

• Traffic already in the roundabout has the right-of-way.
• Always signal your exit with an outstretched arm.
• 'Cars' walk, never run, and never chase anyone.
• If in doubt, stop outside the roundabout, never inside.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the assigned exit is shown on a card instead of called out.
• Unsure riders: start as a car and ride only in the no-traffic phase.
• Students with limited mobility: act as officer on the central island and decide who enters.

Learning goals

• Enter and exit a roundabout respecting right-of-way.
• Signal maneuvers clearly.
• Judge when getting off the bike is the safest choice.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bicycles: 12
• helmets: 30
• chalk: 6
• cones: 16
• pinnies: 12

Teacher tip

Stress that in a real roundabout a cyclist rides visibly, taking the lane, not hugging the curb where exiting cars cut them off. Note that roundabout rules vary by country; check the local code. Students bring bikes with a signed permission slip, or borrow them from the city or local police; if you are short, pairs take turns.

More main activities for High School