You can try one at the intersection of Walnut and Observatory on
campus! I go through that one on a fairly consistent basis. It has a
common option for bicyclists:

1. Take the lane as you go through. Not to tough if you generally feel
comfortable riding in the lane with traffic, because motorists do slow
down as they enter. But you definitely have to take the lane to avoid
getting squeezed or cut off as someone exits.

2. Transition to the (extra wide) sidewalk and travel through the
intersection via a number of crosswalks. Because the crosswalks are
set back from where the cars are entering the intersection, you will
cross _behind_ a car looking for a gap to enter the flow of traffic in
the intersection. You transition to the sidewalk back from the
intersection as well, so it's a natural area and angle to get up onto
the sidewalk. This option works well for those who really get nervous
about sharing a traffic lane with cars.

I do think that many of the roundabouts in Madison have a design speed
that is too high. Motorists should feel they have to slow waaaay down
to get through the intersection, and in my opinion, the width of the
lanes are too wide for this to happen. If motorists are going
straight, they hardly have to deviate from a straight path, thereby
not needing to slow.

Robbie Webber
Bike Walk Madison Steering Committee
  www.bikewalkmadison.org
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