Opening a car door in the path of a cyclist

(Originally published in the July 8 to 14, 2012 issue of the Baguio Chronicle ---

a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines ---

by Sly L. Quintos, Associate Editor.)

IN more developed countries (of course, except the Philippines, Baguio to be more particular), opening a car door in the path of a cyclist is against the law. 

Under Rule 269 of the Victorian road rules states: Opening doors and getting out of a vehicle etc. (3) A person must not cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a door of a vehicle, leaving a door of a vehicle open, or getting off, or out of, a vehicle. 

Bicycle Network Victoria (BNV) is a community-based non-profit, financially self-supporting and independent organization and one of the largest cycling membership organizations in the world (with 43,000 members as of 2009), whose mission is to get More People Cycling More Often. It 

The name was changed from Bicycle Victoria (BV) to Bicycle Network Victoria in July 2011, coinciding with a campaign --- bitterly opposed by the Australian Taxation Office --- to become a Health Promotion Charity. The campaign succeeded in getting BNV registered as charity, although not as a “health promotion charity” and so without the right to Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. 

BNV currently employs about 60 permanent staff and has a number of additional staff on contract for events and special projects, as well as using the services of volunteers for events. Bicycle Network Victoria has two offices located in the CBD of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 

Someone opening a car door unexpectedly in front of you can have disastrous consequences. The tips for avoiding this type of crash are the same for avoiding crashes in general --- ride sensibly and conservatively to avoid dangerous or risky situations in the first place.

RIDE PREDICTABLY

Leave room to move. Ride in a consistent, straight line. Don't weave in and out of car spaces and traffic. Don't ride fast into narrow spaces where you have little room for error. Don't ride between two vehicles unless there is room to swerve or time to stop. Ride out from the door zone (a car door is about 1.5 meter wide). If you don't have enough room to ride outside the door zone, slow down to a speed where you could stop in time.

LOOK & THINK AHEAD

Anticipate other people's actions. Scan the interiors of parked vehicles for someone about to exit. If there is someone there, get ready to stop or look for a space to swerve out of the way. Be especially wary when passing cars to the left or curb side when they have stopped at intersections, as passengers may be about to exit them. Look for brake lights that are lit up (an indication that they've just pulled up). At night, look out for the interior light going on or off. Look ahead for drivers parking their cars. Listen for the telltale click of an opening door: if you can hear it, you're close enough. It’s also wise to select a route that other cyclists frequently use and one that avoids narrow roads with fast moving traffic and parked cars. Look for wide roads with slow moving traffic or narrow roads with slow moving traffic.

ASSUME THEY HAVEN'T SEEN YOU

Ride conservatively and give yourself time and room to avoid a crash or sticky situation. Wear bright clothes and flashing lights but remember that most drivers are looking primarily for cars. Assume they have not seen you until you have made eye contact, and even then, be wary.

RIDE ACCORDING TO THE CONDITIONS

If it's wet or dark, slow down (remember that a wet tire rim or disc requires longer stopping distance). If it's fine and bright, don't go too fast. 

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU SEE A CAR DOOR 

ABOUT TO BE OPENED IN FRONT OF YOU?

Ring your bell. (Again, in more developed countries, bells are a requirement as part of the road rules for bikes). Sometimes this is enough to stop someone opening a door further. If you are really close, try a loud “Hey!” but only as a last resort. Failing that, just slow down and stop. The last point sounds simple, but so few people seem prepared to do it. Stop, smile at the driver. In most cases they have not realized what they have done and are apologetic. If they have not realized then politely point it out to them. Don't start an argument. Experience suggests that people rarely win arguments about another person's driving skills on the roadway. Just point out their mistake and ride on when the opportunity arises. The idea is to promote good behavior and you can start with your own. If you are courteous and calm then you are more likely to get a similar response.

WHAT TO DO IF THE WORST HAPPENS

If you are confronted by the unexpected car door, hit your brakes. Use the rear (left) brake slightly before the front to avoid going over the handlebars. Pick your line and stick to it.

Hitting a car door hurts a lot. If worst comes to worst, you may be better to brace yourself and hit the door rather than lose control and end up under a motor vehicle. One advantage of hitting a door (as opposed to a moving vehicle) is that they tend to funnel you in towards the car. If you can, “decide” how you are going to crash then you may be able to avoid the hardest part of the car door (the end, which is all metal), rather than the inside, which is upholstered.

IF YOU DO HAVE A CRASH

Try to stay calm and keep your wits about you. Write down the particulars of the crash as soon as possible, even if it is from the hospital bed. Record the name and license number of other parties, registration number of the vehicle, names and details of witness and whatever you can remember of the details of the crash. Sign and date the record. Get it witnessed, as it may be useful later if there is a dispute over the crash.

Report the crash to the police. Pray they are competent and interested enough to help you (but I doubt it, again, especially in Baguio).*