Bicyclists are often seen out riding during the warmer months of the year. While most people focus on the safety tips bicyclists should follow, it’s also necessary for drivers to do their part to keep everyone on bicycles safe.
One issue that is especially urgent is for drivers and occupants of vehicles to avoid dooring the bicyclist. Dooring occurs when someone opens their door in the path of a bicyclist. In many cases, this occurs when the bicyclist is so close that they don’t have time to react.
Dangers of dooring
When dooring occurs, the bicyclist will often strike the door, which can lead to the bicyclist falling. In some cases, they may be able to swerve, but that puts them at risk of being struck by another vehicle or losing control of their bicycle.
Even though these incidents occur at slow speeds, they can lead to significant injuries. Bicyclists can end up with broken bones, head injuries, facial injuries, shoulder injuries or a host of other injuries. In many cases, these injuries will require immediate medical attention that can be expensive.
Preventing dooring
One of the most effective ways to prevent dooring is to use the Dutch reach method of opening the door that’s near a path where a bicyclist will travel. This means using the hand closest to the midline of the vehicle to open the door, which forces the individual to turn in a way that allows them to check for bicyclists.
Bicyclists who are involved in a dooring crash may opt to pursue a compensation claim if the individual who doored them was acting negligently. These cases can be challenging, so seeking the assistance of someone familiar with bicycle crashes may be beneficial.