Bismarck’s First Mini Roundabout Is Now Open & People Are Freakin’

Despite pushback from so many residents, roundabouts are here to stay in the Capital Region.

A brand new one opened up this morning at 7 am on September 4th, 2024, and it's being hailed as "Bismarck's first mini roundabout" on the Bismarck City Government Facebook page.

Here's a shot of it.

Mini roundabouts are nothing new in the area as we have two of them in Lincoln and you will find them in Mandan too.

They are actually easier to navigate than the double-lane roundabouts you'll find in the Bismarck Mandan area.

The comments on the Bismarck City Government's Facebook page show just how terrified some people are navigating roundabouts.

Some of the comments include, "These roundabouts will cause more accidents" (Actually, it's the complete opposite, roundabouts cause fewer accidents than traditional intersections).  I take roundabouts every day living south of Lincoln and over the last 5 years, I don't believe I have witnessed even one accident.

A couple of more comments include, "Dumb idea, they will cause more winter accidents", and "Good luck snowplowing a roundabout in the winter" (both of these comments are again incorrect). Again, plenty of data shows the opposite, and snowplows have no issues moving snow inside of a roundabout.

All of us who live in Lincoln, are laughing at the comments above.  There's only one simple thing you need to remember when navigating a mini roundabout and it applies for the two-lane roundabouts too.

Make sure to signal when you EXIT the roundabout.

You do this because you are changing lanes and it's the law.  You could be ticketed for it if you don't.  The other main reason to signal when exiting a roundabout is to let the vehicle at the yield sign ahead of you, know you are exiting, so they may enter the roundabout and this will keep traffic moving smoothly.

Things NOT to do when entering a roundabout.

Do not turn your blinker on before you enter the roundabout.  This will make you look silly.  Everybody already knows you are entering the roundabout and no need to signal.

Also, don't turn on your blinker the second you enter a roundabout if you don't plan to exit the first turn.  Again, you look dumb, and that could cause an accident.

There you have it, one simple thing to remember when entering a roundabout.  "SIGNAL WHEN YOU EXIT", that's it.  Okay, I will get off my soapbox.  Enjoy your day and your new roundabout Bismarck.