No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of such traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open upon the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
Amended Ch. 162, Stats. 1963. Effective September 20, 1963
Many bike lanes are positioned next to street parked cars placing cyclists in peril riding through door zones. Drivers need to be aware that cyclists have to ride so that they do not put themselves at risk in door zones even sometimes choosing to place themselves for safety in the motor vehicle lane. Until protected bike lanes not built going through dangerous door zones exist, drivers need to learn to give cyclists a safety bubble and also share the look out responsibility for emerging drivers and passengers behaving unpredictably.
National and state databases only include crashes involving motor vehicles in transport. Since a parked car is not in transport, and a bicycle is not a motor vehicle, crashes where a bicyclist hits a parked car door are excluded.
Dooring accounts for 12 to 27 percent of urban car-bike collisions, making it one of the most common crash types.
Where Bike Lane Design Collides with Savvy Cycling
New York City and several other cities in the USA have their own Dooring awareness safety campaigns. New York City, in 2012
This safety campaign takes the message to New Yorkers and visitors that you need to take a second and take a look around whenever you get out of a car," said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. "The best protection that bike riders and pedestrians have is our attention, and there is one thing everyone can do—look.
Seven bike riders have been killed in “dooring” crashes in the last five years
Stickers and Taxi TV video extend City’s LOOK! safety campaign launched last week
The New York City transportation folks make clear that dooring is preventable. With a simple change in habit in how you open your door, you can make sure your body is facing and looking by default, The Dutch Reach:
If Michael Charney has his way, more Americans would adopt a simple method to prevent "doorings," a type of collision when a driver or passenger in a parked car opens a door into the path of a cyclist.
The Dutch Reach: A No-Tech Way to Save Bicyclists' Lives
I have represented too many cyclists who were seriously injured by car doors opening suddenly in their path. Drivers, passengers, insurance companies all try to pass the blame to the cyclist. Pedestrians and runners also get car doored and seriously injured. Drivers and passengers also get injured by exiting the vehicle before it is safe to do so.
Everyday road hazards.
When a bicyclist is riding in the bicycle lane (typically right side of the road), or simply riding on the right of the main busy traffic lane, motor vehicles may be turning right through the bike lane, often unexpectedly in front of the bicyclist. This can result in a serious collision, It may trigger the bicyclist losing control of the bicycle. Or it may necessitate the bicyclist needing to force a fall to prevent contact with the automobile.
Read moreThere are several types of bike racks and each kind has pros and cons, as well as some safety pointers to be aware of for you and your bicycle cargo.
Read moreTrucks are very dangerous for bicycle and pedestrians, even small cars and motorcycles and all vehicles deal with underride and sideguard crash dangers around semi tractor trailers.
Read moreMany drivers are simply not looking for bikes, pedestrians, nor motorcycles.. Other drivers are multi-tasking, doing their hair, makeup,eating, texting or talking on the phone, and they really aren't able to pay enough attention to their driving and other vehicles on the road, including bikes, motorcycles and pedestrians.
Read moreThe bicyclist may try to avoid the accident and may fall as a result of a collision avoidance maneuver. In many cases, a collision doesn't have to occur for injury nor expensive damages to the bike to occur. When a bicyclist rightly avoids a car turning in front and cutting them off, she may lose control of the bicycle, and crash.
Read moreWith transportation design, right hook collisions are preventable. It will take everyone to make our roadways safe for all users. Drivers need to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Understanding how bicycle v. car right hook collisions occur can help us enjoy many more miles of bicycling and driving.
Read moreAuto Insurance Advice
Get uninsured, and underinsured motorist insurance. Here's why.
Read moreDean Goetz has represented and obtained sizeable settlements for numerous bicycle riders whose cases were rejected by other attorneys.
Read more
