Doored Again!
Posted by: MargauxAug 17 2009, 11:49 am
Getting doored is a real risk for cyclists riding near parked cars. BTA Bike Commute Workshops teach new cyclists to stay out of the door zone and to ride in a straight and predictable line instead of weaving in and out of parked cars. Our Bike Safety for Drivers list includes a tip for drivers to check the bike lane before opening their door.
Oregon bicycle and pedestrian lawyer Ray Thomas steps in to remind us that in door vs. cyclist cases the law is on the side of the bicycle rider. Now he has produced a compelling video to show what can really happen when cyclists and doors collide.
This is great idea except when the bike lane is the door zone and cars are occupying the lane of traffic. I was doored last week on Lovejoy and 11th heading west. Get yelled at and threatened when taking a lane or be doored? So many choices what's a rider to do?
I would also mention that night cyclists should use working head and tail lights, especially in a bike lane that runs along parked cars. Motorists getting out of their cars might not see a cyclist in the dark, even when they've looked first before opening their door. I've almost gotten doored more than once at night, even with the use of bike lights.
Be alert. Be cautious. The law may be on our side but that's slim consolation if we run into one. I'm usually looking to see if the parked cars are occupied as I approach.
I almost doored someone who was riding late at night with no lights. I looked in my mirror and then opened the door. Fortunately, he was able to avoid the door. He apologized and went on. If he'd had a light, I would've seen him.
A long time ago one of my students at OSU quit coming to class for no apparent reason. After three weeks she showed up again with a large bandage on her forehead. Doored and hospitalized. The corner of the door caught her just above the left eye.
When I'm riding, which is daily, I always look for people in cars who might be getting out. Brian's right–be cautious!
This video's depiction of a cyclist slamming into a car door is a pretty lightweight portrayal. Here in Eugene a cyclist recently died as a result of injuries he suffered when a driver opened a car door in his path. It occurred on a fairly quiet, residential street. Yes, be alert… always.
Having been doored 4 months ago and still in recovery, I found it a bit tramatic to watch the video, and a more than bit disconcerting that it took such a light-hearted turn. What's a door cathcing fire have to do with this?
Yes, I'm cranky from post-trauma issues but this is a serious topic and I know Ray has much more to offer than the fireworks used for effect here.
I was almost doored today, and was being scolded by a friend; he said on roads with no bike lane, I would be at fault if I wasn't taking up a lane (I was on the side of the lane). He said it is better I be slow and take up my own lane and let anxious drivers switch lanes and pass me, rather than allow something like that to happen. Is this true?
Thank you for the video. Fun. Simple. However, there is an underlying tone of person on bike vs. person in car. Bike vs. car. It is a tired war. To those who have been doored (another word to add to our American-English dictionary) I cannot imagine the pain or fear. I am in no way taking away from your knowledge and experience. But just like the person on a bike how blasts through a red light, talking on a cell phone, crusing through traffic and gives cyclists a bad name, there are exceptions to drivers too. For the most part, I have found the people who park along my bike route to be thoughtful and courteous. This is my expectation and I won't jump to a negative. However, I will always be vigilant of doors. Thanks again for the adorable video.
So what happens when someone gets doored, the officer says there is no crime, and nothing happens?
How do we have this statute enforced? Do police even know about this? What are our rights as cyclists? Anyone??