Sharp exit to cycle path, easy to improve

As cyclists leave the roundabout heading southbound, they are normally carrying some speed and interacting with motor vehicles in a complex traffic environment.

In order to exit the carriageway onto the shared-use cycle path, they need to slow down suddenly and potentially veer into the centre of the lane, in order to be able to make the sharp turn onto the cycle path. This is dangerous, as drivers following behind may not be able to react in time.

The hazard is caused by a combination of (1) the abrupt 90-degree turn needed to enter the cycle path, and (2) the very close proximity to the exit of the roundabout, which is a dangerous site for cyclist-motor vehicle collisions at the best of times.

Just past this point is a layby and bus stop. Simply dropping the curb at the far end of the layby (heading southbound towards Yarnton) and connecting it to the cycle path, a far safer route could be made, allowing cyclists to filter off the carriageway and into the layby without slowing or undertaking any sharp manoeuvres, and then pick up the shared use path at the far end. This is only impossible at present because of the curb.

Note that there is no segregated cycle path on this (southbound) route prior to reaching the Bladon Roundabout, so it is after negotiating the roundabout that cyclists need to be able to leave the carriageway and join the cycle path - which is absolutely excellent in general, and always kept very well-maintained.