Traffic is stressful, unpredictable, and often dangerous, but not every accident has to happen. “Dooring” is a type of crash that keeps hurting people all over the world. It happens when a driver or passenger opens a car door immediately in front of a cyclist who is coming toward them. The result can be awful: a sudden crash, serious injuries, or even death. But you can mostly avoid dooring by making one simple change to your behavior, even though it has major effects.
One close call that I saw has stayed with me ever since. Because he was in a rush and not paying attention, a buddy of mine unlocked the door to his car without looking. A rider in the bike lane had to rapidly swerve to avoid hitting the door. I will always remember how scared they all looked. That moment made me realize that even something as easy as opening a door may kill someone.
The Dutch Reach is a good way to minimize the probability of dooring since it works. The Dutch Reach is a simple but effective change in behavior that became popular in the Netherlands, where riding is a large part of daily life. Drivers’ bodies naturally turn as they open the door with their right hand, which is the hand farthest from the door. This makes them look over their shoulder. That slight movement naturally lines up their eyes with the side mirror and any bikes coming near them. Passengers should also use their left hand to open the door.
It might seem a little unusual at first, especially if you’ve usually used your near hand to open the door. But it becomes second nature after a while. More importantly, it helps people form a habit that could save lives. People who support the Dutch Reach have witnessed a big drop in accidents where people hit doors.
It’s not just one person’s job to make roadways safer. Infrastructure is vital; protected bike lanes, clear signs, and well-planned roads can all help. Education is also very significant. Teaching kids and teens about bike safety in school, encouraging new drivers to use the Dutch Reach during training, and promoting awareness in communities all help make roadways safer. Putting up a public service notice or a sticker on the dashboard that says “look before you open” can help get your point across even more.
We can’t handle a lot of road hazards, but this one we can. The Dutch Reach is one of those things that is easy, free, and could save your life. In less than a second, you can turn your body and look in the mirror. And in that one second, you could stop a broken collarbone, a concussion, or something worse.
Don’t forget to use your right hand the next time you get out of a car. Go. Look. It’s a little thing, but it might make a big difference.
