Advocacy & Safety - Have you ever been doored or nearly doored?

Have you ever been doored or nearly doored?

If yes, this thread is for you. For each incident, please tell us about it...


What city?
What street?
Nearest intersection?
What direction were you going?
What time of day? Light or dark?
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it?
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)?
How quickly did this happen?
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)?
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not?
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what?
How badly were you hurt?
What did you learn?
Any advice for the rest of us?

Cars have opened their doors in my 'path' but I've always been far enough out of the door zone that they failed to hit me. Seriously - I ride a meter out from parked cars, no door zone.

Bwahahaha!

Never been doored. I always do my best to keep at least 4 to 5 feet between me and parked cars. If that is not possible then I slow the frack down and keep one eye on the traffic and parked cars, like a chameleon.

I hope this poll has nothing to do with whatever is going on at the A&S forums.

Got doored going west on 57th St. in Manhattan 2 weeks ago over by Madison / 5th Ave. Lesson learned: no more trying to squeeze between taxi cabs and parked cars (box truck in this case). Backseat passenger opened the door just as I was passing. Luckly, the edge of the door just hit the handlebar (right where a reflector was mounted, which shattered loudly into little pieces and gave the whole incident a rather dramatic tone.) Luckily I wasn't going more then 12mph and effectively just stopped and leaned over on the truck to my right instead of falling over (clipped in). Passenger of the Taxi came out and gave the standard "Didn't see you" speech and ran off. Driver came out to see if there was any damager to his door.

Overall, it was a rather uneventful incident. Only thing that makes me shudder though is that had the door been opened 3 inches to the left it would've been a finger intead of the reflector. I was also very surprised at just how quickly and unexepectedly the whole thing happened. There was no slow-motion "aww ****" action as sometimes happens when crashing. Just came out of nowhere.

I ride in the door zone all the time. Its easy enuff to see if someones in a car.
I think riding a motorcycle for years has given me a hyper-state of awareness
that makes these sort of things a non-issue.

Twice in two days, in the exact same place. Passengers jumping out of the car to go to a station nearby. Crashed both times. No space or bike lanes. That was in UK. I took it as a sign. I left the country.

I almost got doored in a wide bike lane on a weekday in the late morning. A contractor passed me, crossed the bike lane, parked way far from the curb and opened his door without looking as I was approaching. I was almost out of the bike lane anyway so I was able to just avoid it.

Haven't seen you in a while Helmet Head, hi!

What city? Philly
What street? Spring Garden
Nearest intersection? 18th? Don't really remember exactly where.
What direction were you going? East (to work)
What time of day? Light or dark? Morning, 9ish, light, good weather.
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? Yes and Yes
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? Roughly the middle, maybe 2 feet from the parked cars.
How quickly did this happen? Uh... quickly enough that I almost hit the door, but not so quick that I did?
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? Can't give a good estimate.
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? Yes
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way? N/A
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what? N/A
How badly were you hurt? N/A
What did you learn? Watch the cabs
Any advice for the rest of us? Watch the cabs


It was a cab in traffic, so on my left, not the parked cars on the right (which I'm usually watching pretty carefully). The passenger was a doofus, not much you could really do... traffic was moving slowly (I was passing on the right in the bike lane), the cab stopped for a second and the passenger opened the door. The ironic part was I had just posted the day before in slvoid's "door prize" thread saying how I'd never been doored :rolleyes:. I hit the brakes, swerved and missed the door, but only by half an inch or so. If I'd clipped it slightly I probably would have been jolted but unhurt (I have flat bars with curved-inward bar ends, so I'd have to clip it by a solid 1-2+ inches for it to grab the handlebars). In general I'd say people in Philly are pretty cognizent of the fact that they are parked on a bike lane and I have seen people hold the door mostly closed as I go by more often than I've seen them open it wide without looking.

People have tried to hit me with their doors, but I ride far enough out from parked cars that I have not had a 'near miss' where I had to slow down or swerve to avoid.

If circumstances are such that I am riding in the door zone - I ride slow (like 10 km/h or less) and again it's not been a problem.

My wife points out that I also 'ding my bell like a madman' at all cars with tinted windows that I pass by.

hey - I thought I was having deja vu! This is cross posted to A&S... Glad to know I'm not seeing things.

What city? Calgary
What street? A non-descript one
Nearest intersection? Probably a confluence of a street and avenue
What direction were you going? Forward :D
What time of day? Light or dark? mid-afternoon
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? No bike lane
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? ~3'
How quickly did this happen? I wasn't moving very fast, but the door popped open in a hurry
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? 8' or so
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? I hit the door with my front tire and stopped dead
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way? I didn't fall, instead doing a partial endo
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what? See above
How badly were you hurt? Not hurt at all
What did you learn? When riding, look into the sideview mirrors of parked cars. When getting out of a parked car, check to see if anyone is coming. That's actually a law here.
Any advice for the rest of us? Don't ride too close to parked cars.

Nope, not even a close call. But then again, I actually ride with my eyes open.

What city? Chicago

What street? Damen

Nearest intersection? North and Damen

What direction were you going? North

What time of day? Light or dark? Day

Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? Yes

About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? about 2 feet.

How quickly did this happen? Instantly.

About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? half a foot or less.

Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? crash.

If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way? straight forward Over handlebars onto street

Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what? Door swung open quickly into the right side of my bike, taking it out from underme. Did not even know I had been doored or why I crashed, until well after I crashed,

How badly were you hurt? ribs hurt for 2 weeks. road rash, bruises, destroyed clothes. Not badly hurt.

What did you learn? be carefull in areas in which the road narrows to go under bridges or other areas, even riding in a door zone for a moment can cause an accident.

Have you ever been doored or nearly doored?

If yes, this thread is for you. For each incident, please tell us about it...


What city?
San Diego


What street?
Campus Point


Nearest intersection?
Campus Point and Genesee


What direction were you going?
North


What time of day? Light or dark?
Near 9:00 AM, light


Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it?
No BL existed.


About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)?
Maybe about 3 feet.


How quickly did this happen?
very.


About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)?
Maybe about 5.


Did you manage to avoid crashing or not?
Yup, swerved quickly... wasn't moving all that fast, had just turned the corner onto the street.


If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?
Did not fall or crash... just wobbled a bit.


Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what?
Swerved to avoid it... This was a line of cars that regularly appeared during semester months of UCSD. It was pretty obvious that these vehicles were owned by students trying to avoid parking fees. There were student lots nearby, yet they chose to park on this street. I was riding by one morning on my way to work, and I was about 3 feet out. Didn't see anyone in any of the cars... so figured I was cool. Suddenly as I was about to pass before this one door, it swung wide open and a student jumped out... must have been sleeping... he "flew" out of the car and ran off... I swerved wide. Good thing there was no other traffic. I didn't look, I just reacted. I figure he was asleep on the seats... that was why I didn't see anyone in the car.


How badly were you hurt?
Just surprised


What did you learn?
Stay wide


Any advice for the rest of us?
Stay wide. I now add about 2 feet to the length of my arm as a "gauge."


Bit more here. I regularly ride on a street lined with cars... near my home. It is a 2 lane either way boulevard. Most people ride on the sidewalk. I ride in the right tire track... and go fast... typically 18MPH on my commuter, at or over 20 on my red racer. (sometimes as slow as 13MPH on the commuter when loaded down with stuff). Doors regularly fly open on this street... as well as motorists pulling out suddenly from parking spaces. Tinted windows don't help, and with a long line of cars, you can't tell if the 5th car ahead has someone in it... no way. I ride wide. There are no BL involved.

I also incur the wrath of motorists that just can't seem to fathom why I am out there on "their road." Sometimes it involves honking, other times just tailgating... (recently some guy, right on my tail with the dumbest expression and shrugging shoulders... ) I know I am in the right place... but when are they going to realize it?

1. What city? Philadelphia
2. What street? don't remember
3. Nearest intersection? n/a
4. What direction were you going? n/a
5. What time of day? Light or dark? full daylight
6. Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? yes, yes
7. About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? two feet
8. How quickly did this happen? I had at least a half second to react
9. About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? about 10 feet of distance.
10. Did you manage to avoid crashing? yes
11. If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?
12. Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what?
13. How badly were you hurt?
14. What did you learn? I learned not to feel safe about going fast down a bike lane between a traffic jam and a line of parked cars. If stopped traffic prevents me from riding outside the door zone, I'll ride at about a running pace-easier to stop and less less injury if I can't stop.
15. Any advice for the rest of us? Yes: -=£em in Pa=- points out that it's possible for him to look in car windows to see if anyone is there. That's true, but if you do see someone there it's wise to assume they are out to get you with their door, even if they look like they're just gonna sit still. Also, I don't consider it safe to pass more than about three cars at regular bicycling speed while I'm stuck in the door zone. After that it becomes difficult enough to look ahead so quickly, that I think almost anybody become prone to mistakes.

Like rajman, I normally refuse to ride with my handlebars closer than 1 meter to a pakred car.

1. Milwaukee
2. state st.
3. Not really sure, about 50th and state.
4. east
5. 12-3pm
6. no bike lane
7. 2 feet
8. really quick
9. 5 feet?
10. crashed
11. fell to the left.
12. door clipped my seat tube
13. not hurt at all. was able to get my hand out to soften my fall.
14. I can get my hand out quick enough.
15. keep riding!

Have you ever been doored or nearly doored?

If yes, this thread is for you. For each incident, please tell us about it... Any advice for the rest of us?

If you really want to know the relative danger of riding in "door zones" in comparison to riding parallel to them in the middle of a traffic lane, find out what percentage of cycling is actually done in door zones before trying to rant about any isolated incidents or the terrible door zone risk to avoid at all costs. Otherwise this is just another worthless poll to provide more grist for HH's VC rant mill.

What city? Inglewood, CA, 1971
What street? N. La Brea.
Nearest intersection? Regent
What direction were you going? south
What time of day? Light or dark? Early Afternoon
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? No
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? 3 Feet
How quickly did this happen? Very
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)?
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? Not
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way? I went straight into the edge of the door
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what?
How badly were you hurt? Bruised, but knocked the door of the Ford Galaxie off its hinges
What did you learn? Ride farther out, always be scanning cars ahead.
Any advice for the rest of us?

15. Any advice for the rest of us? Yes: -=£em in Pa=- points out that it's possible for him to look in car windows to see if anyone is there.

I guess that £em hasn't encountered the fellow who is in the car, leaning over sideways working under his dashboard and then kicks the car door open with his foot. I have. Many times it's not possible to get a good enough look inside the car before passing it.

Nope. I can remember one ride where there was a used car sales area that ran for over a mile (private owners). That was a pain. Closest was going down a short not very steep grade where a pickup opened his door. I had plenty of time, but was not sure those behind me would see. Icalled out DOOR. OK I'm loud, it scared him back into the truck and resulted in a closed door.

If you really want to know the relative danger of riding in "door zones" in comparison to riding parallel to them in the middle of a traffic lane, find out what percentage of cycling is actually done in door zones before trying to rant about any isolated incidents or the terrible door zone risk to avoid at all costs. Otherwise this is just another worthless poll to provide more grist for HH's VC rant mill.
What makes you think this poll/thread has anything to do with anyone wanting to know the relative danger of riding in "door zones"?

The purpose of this poll/thread is give those who have experienced dooring the opportunity to share with us what happened, in the hopes that the rest of us might learn something. What sparked this was the apparent feeling in some cyclists that doorings can be avoided through care and vigilance. What I'm trying to find out is whether that is true, and, in particular, what those who have been doored think about this. But I don't want to "lead the witness" either, so I left the final questions wide open: "What did you learn from this?" and "Any advice for the rest of us?".

I guess that £em hasn't encountered the fellow who is in the car, leaning over sideways working under his dashboard and then kicks the car door open with his foot. I have. Many times it's not possible to get a good enough look inside the car before passing it.

I also havent encountered a UFO from Mars on its way to a backroad in WV for
some random probing, either........
You can theorize about as many bizarre, one-off circumstances as the day will allow for, but in all of my riding, 100+ miles a week for years, getting doored has never been an issue. I would say if you didnt see a partially open door as this door would have had to have been to create this one-off situation, you werent as aware of your surroundings as might have been prudent. I respectfully submit it is all about your personal riding style, the problems one might encounter. I would never take a lane in some of the places other people say they do but I have never gotten doored in some of the places people say it will happen. Thats why these polls that serve for nothing more than to create boring and ponderous subject matter to argue over are wasteful and an excersise in futility. The way I ride means nothing to anyone but me and visa versa. Just ride, Be safe in your surroundings. Its sooo simple why bog it down with nonsense like this ??

BTW, great job HH, spreading the divisive plague of A&S into a useful forum.

MOD ALERT : Please monitor this thread !
I personally will not dignify this nonsense further. I ask if it gets to A&S
level of uncivility please move it out ! Commuting is a useful forum that
should not be corrupted to promote a personal agenda !

Read a lot about the scanning the cars ahead for drivers.. Might vary some from area to area, dont really see how it would be possible here in chicago though with good accuracy...

Ive been practicing it for a while now because its good information to have, but with tinted windows and such and passing dozens of cars a minute in heavy traffic dont think its possible to see every one with a driver before its too late here. Would be willing to believe it could be possible in other areas though.

What makes you think this poll/thread has anything to do with anyone wanting to know the relative danger of riding in "door zones"?
I don't doubt that you could care less about thinking about relative danger (risk) or actually analyzing risk before making all kinds of rants about danger to cyclists. That is obvious with your obsession with a 5 foot clearance zone at all times from any parked cars no matter where that places a cyclist on the road or in what kind of traffic conditions.

Your cavalier attitude about risk determination before recommending countermeasures is also obvious with your so-called DLLP techniques as a counter measure to the danger (your obsession) of motorist drift.

Your cavalier attitude about risk determination before recommending countermeasures is also obvious with your obsession with recommending all kinds of countermeasures to avoid the dangers of bike lanes regardless of actual risk.

No, I ride in the middle of the lane, not anywhere near the car doors.

Five years of riding Boston/Newton traffic on Beacon Street and Comm Ave and not one dooring incident. Ride with traffic when possible, always check for drivers/passengers in cars (look at the driverside rearview mirror), give yourself space from cars, stay hyper alert, anticipate. Being a born and bred Boston driver helps too.

What city? Toronto
What street? Wilson
Nearest intersection? Keele
What direction were you going? W on Wilson
What time of day? Light or dark? going home from work - light
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? No
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? 12" on inside
How quickly did this happen? fast
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? 6'
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? Applied brakes
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what? After I stopped I forced the door open against the hinges because the driver just opened the door to give me trouble. I then moved past leaving the car stuck in traffic.
How badly were you hurt? none
What did you learn? some people are a-holes
Any advice for the rest of us? Watch for car ocupants

What city? Montreal
What street? minor
Nearest intersection? minor
What direction were you going?
What time of day? Light or dark? darkish but with lights
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? none
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? 2'
How quickly did this happen? fast
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? 10'
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? I shouted and the driver then held the door - also apologised
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what? onsly a small swerve was necessary
How badly were you hurt? not
What did you learn?
Any advice for the rest of us? Watch for car occupants - that is why I hate cars with tinted glass - even slightly tinted glass is impossible to see through when viewed at a fine angle.

What city? -Vista, CA
What street? -Melrose Dr
Nearest intersection? -near Rancho Buena Vista High School
What direction were you going? -South
What time of day? -Morning-daylight
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? -Yes and No, Cars were parked in the bike lane-parents dropping thier kids off for school.
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? -I was in the right lane, taking the lane and keeping toward the left side of the lane to avoid any cars pulling out from the bike lane.
How quickly did this happen? -Very quickly, I had no chance to react whatsoever.
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? -I was coming right up when the door opened and it was some kid getting out of the passenger side door from the middle lane of a 3 lane road (3 lanes each direction).
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? -The kid saw me at the last second and didn't open the door far enough to hit me. There is no way I could have avoided it if he hadn't seen me. Heads up to that kid. Head slap for his idiot parent for letting him out where he did.
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way? -I didn't fall.
What did you learn? -I learned that there are times when you are completely at the mercy of idiot cagers...actually, I already knew this but it just reinforced it.
Any advice for the rest of us? -Try to be alert when you ride and obey traffic laws. Not much else you can do.

I was doored in the late 70's when attending the UW in Seattle. I was riding up 45th street past the Ave next to the curb past a line of stopped cars. A passenger in a car I was passing (on the right) decided to hop out and I ended up with abutterflied front wheel and bruised crotch.

Not fun. However, I learned an important lesson to NOT ride between cars and the curb and to be more vigelent as to what OCUPPANTS of a car might do.

Tony

I also havent encountered a UFO from Mars on its way to a backroad in WV for
some random probing, either........
You can theorize about as many bizarre, one-off circumstances as the day will allow for, but in all of my riding, 100+ miles a week for years, getting doored has never been an issue.


My point is that you cannot be sure you will see the driver. I have been surprised by the leaning over person. And yes, the door might have been open just a tiny bit, but that may be almost impossible to see. I'm glad you are on the lookout. Your success proves it. But those drivers are tricky. Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they aren't there. ;)

What city?
Manhattan
What street?
Rivington, LES
What direction were you going?
West, on a one lane, one way street, cars parked on both sides
What time of day? Light or dark?
11 PM, dark, Saturday night, party zone
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it?
no
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)?
2 or 3
How quickly did this happen?
very
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)?
20? (not sure)
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not?
no
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?
not sure, next thing I new I was on the ground and then instantly back up on my feet
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what?
I think it was more like a clip, it was a Taxi door and I noticed yellow paint on my handlebar later
How badly were you hurt?
moderately sprained elbow, couldn't ride again for like 3 weeks
What did you learn?
when traffic is backed up people are very likely to open the doors of cars in the traffic lane, especially taxis, in this situation it's probably a little bit safer to pass on the left, but in any situation where you can't get out of the door zone(s) you need to take it slowly, luckily I wasn't going that fast or it could have been much worse
Any advice for the rest of us?
look out for car doors of cars stopped in traffic, not just parked cars on the side of the road

What makes you think this poll/thread has anything to do with anyone wanting to know the relative danger of riding in "door zones"?
I don't doubt that you could care less about thinking about relative danger (risk) or actually analyzing risk before making all kinds of rants about danger to cyclists. Oh, I care about relative danger (risk). That's just not what this poll/thread addresses, certainly not directly. We are all hindered by the lack of data/studies in these areas, yet we must choose where to ride never-the-less. So we are all making the best guess we can regarding these relative risks, and, as far as I'm concerned, the more info we can get, the better our guesses.


That is obvious with your obsession with a 5 foot clearance zone at all times from any parked cars no matter where that places a cyclist on the road or in what kind of traffic conditions.
I don't know where you get the at all times and no matter ... what kind of traffic conditions. stuff.

Again, filtering forward slowly at ped speeds in door zones through congested stopped traffic is probably reasonably safe, so far as I know. But riding in door zones, within 5 feet of parked cars, with moving traffic in the adjacent lane/space, I don't think is reasonably safe. That's my opinion.


Your cavalier attitude about risk determination before recommending countermeasures is also obvious with your so-called DLLP techniques as a counter measure to the danger (your obsession) of motorist drift.

Your cavalier attitude about risk determination before recommending countermeasures is also obvious with your obsession with recommending all kinds of countermeasures to avoid the dangers of bike lanes regardless of actual risk. Again, all we have to determine risk is all we have. Given what we've got, I believe what I believe, for the reasons I cite. You and everyone else is free to believe whatever you and they want with respect to relative risks, and ride accordingly.

Again, all we have to determine risk is all we have. Given what we've got, I believe what I believe, for the reasons I cite. You and everyone else is free to believe whatever you and they want with respect to relative risks, and ride accordingly.
Agreed.

I had a near miss once with an unussualy wide door that protruded some 4 feet or more into the road.

Its just a common sense thing really isn't it? I always, as with driving; maintain 4-5 feet around parked cars. On a bike, if it means merging with the moving traffic stream, I signal well in advance of the coming parked cars and merge at the first opportunity that a car lets me. I make a point of thanking the car as while I am sure most understand and tolerate why I am doing it, I do not generally believe in occupying the lane if I can safely avoid it. In that respect, I feel cyclists must acknowledge we are at times a hinderance to cars. But tolerance, correct cycling practice (im reffering to signalling, waiting if necessary and acting predictably) and manners (saying thanks) are the keys.

Is that what true VC proposes? That we routinely occupy the whole lane, even if its safe to allow faster road users in cars, trucks ect over take by hugging the curb?

Is that what true VC proposes? That we routinely occupy the whole lane, even if its safe to allow faster road users in cars, trucks ect over take by hugging the curb?
Mod Note: We have an entire subforum here devoted to answering every question about Vehicular Cycling you might ever have. Check it out! (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=252) :)

I can't possibly list the number of times I've been nearly doored. I would estimate it would be in the thousands. But with twenty-seven years of dense downtown riding, that is to be expected. I ride outside the door-zone so I've never actually been doored, but ther have been many many many close-calls. With a keen eye on parkd cars, a loud horn or voice and a foot poised and ready to kick a door back in, they can be avoided.

all cars should be required to have those doors that swing up, not out, what do you call those?

Have you ever been doored or nearly doored?

If yes, this thread is for you. For each incident, please tell us about it...
What city?


YC



What street?


8th Ave



Nearest intersection?


W58th



What direction were you going?


Direction of traffic (duh?)



What time of day? Light or dark?


Light out, afternoon rush hour.



Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it?


No and no.



About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)?


N/A -- the car pulled in front of me from the next lane.



How quickly did this happen?


Pretty fast.



About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)?


0. It hit my handlebars as I tried to dodge the taxi.



Did you manage to avoid crashing or not?


Nope.



If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?


Toward the high, sharp curb. Braced my fall my my hand on purpose to avoid hitting said curb.



Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what?


Yes to all.



How badly were you hurt?


Sprained elbow is still sore sometimes, two years later.



What did you learn?


That sometimes there's nothing you can do.




Any advice for the rest of us?


Bring a weapon? ;)

all cars should be required to have those doors that swing up, not out, what do you call those?

Then all your cars would cost $5000 dollars more. Nothing cheaper than a bent piece of sheet metal and a pin for a hinge.

I've never been doored before. I've only been "nearly doored" once in all, and I hope to keep my statistics as they are for the rest of my bicycling life.

What city? Garden Grove, CA

What street? Garden Grove Blvd and uh, I don't know the cross-streets...

Nearest intersection? See above. All I know is that it was on an intersection BEFORE Fairview St. It might've been Lewis St (judging by GOOGLE Maps)

What direction were you going? WEST

What time of day? Mid-Morning (around 11:00 a.m. or so), I think. The sun was out.

Was there a bike lane? No bike lane, but the traffic lane was a WOL-type, and I took the right side of it like it was a bike lane.

About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? I don't remember. But it was close enough to scare me when I heard and saw the door open on me as I passed by.

How quickly did this happen? Less than a second, and the door opened right as I was passing the car. I was right in the door area.

About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? Zero. See above. I was RIGHT IN THE DOOR AREA! :eek:

Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? Yes, I managed to avoid crashing/getting hit, but part of that was because the motorist saw me in time, too.

Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what? As I stated above, it was mostly thanks to an aware motorist. He shut the door again before it could open far enough to hit me after he saw me through the driver's side window.

How badly were you hurt? N/A

What did you learn? Not to ride in the door zone. And if I can't avoid the door zone, then I'll slow down and scan the rear windows of cars to see if there are any passengers inside near the driver's side of the car.

Any advice for the rest of us? Don't ride in the door zone :D

What city? Rockville Center NY
What street? Don't remember
Nearest intersection? Don't Remember
What direction were you going? Don't Remember
What time of day? Light or dark? Afternoon, Light
Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? No, N/A
About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? In the door zone, duh
How quickly did this happen? Quickly
About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)? Adjacent to the door
Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? No
If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way? Fell away from the door into the street
Did you hit the door, or did it clip you, or did you crash swerving to avoid it, or what? Edge of door hit bottom tube half way between head tube and seat tube
How badly were you hurt? Sprained both wrists landing
What did you learn? Avoid the door zone
Any advice for the rest of us? Don't ride in the door zone if you can avoid it. (edited by mod)

1. What city? Brooklyn NY
2. What street? Coney Island Ave
3. Nearest intersection? CHurch ave
4. What direction were you going? North
5. What time of day? Light or dark? Light
6. Was there a bike lane? If so, were you in it? No
7. About where were you riding laterally (how far from the side of the car)? 12"
8. How quickly did this happen? very
9. About where were you when the door was opened (how many feet ahead you of you was the door)?3 ft
10. Did you manage to avoid crashing or not? NO
11. If not, what happened? Did you fall, which way?
12. Did you hit the door? Yes
13. How badly were you hurt? The insurance co paid $17,000 for stitches to my face. No teeth lost :)
14. What did you learn? Not to ride fast. Keep the brakes in max condition. Going one block over can make a big difference in safety. Your reaction time is not so good when you get older:(
15. Any advice for the rest of us? Read Effective Cycling by Forrester. Or similar. Consider a full face helmet. Be extra double carefull on routes you do not take frequently. The NYC bike map suggest routes are a good idea.

all cars should be required to have those doors that swing up, not out, what do you call those?
Non existent on production cars.

Have you ever been doored or nearly doored?

If yes, this thread is for you. For each incident, please tell us about it...

Any advice for the rest of us?

Stay far away from doors. ;)

Stay far away from doors. ;)
No matter what the alternative, or where that places the cyclist in fast moving dense urban traffic?

Do you believe that car doors are the only or the most risky hazard to a cyclist?:rolleyes:

Been nearly doored many times but have learned to avoid the 'door zone' Yes you can usually tell if someone is in a car from fairly far back, but if you have traffic boxing you in by that point where are you going to go?

Stay far away from doors. ;)

No matter what the alternative, or where that places the cyclist in fast moving dense urban traffic?

Do you believe that car doors are the only or the most risky hazard to a cyclist?:rolleyes:
I don't think I said that. Where in the world did you get that? Wait, don't tell me--from the internet?

:D

I ride in the door zone all the time. Its easy enuff to see if someones in a car.
I think riding a motorcycle for years has given me a hyper-state of awareness
that makes these sort of things a non-issue.
What do you do about cars with tinted windows? What do you do about vans and other vehicles with no back windows? What do you do about little old lady drivers when their head doesn't stick up above the seatback? Or short kids getting out of the back seat?

I don't think I said that.
OK I responded to what you wrote; if my response is off kilter, what did you mean?

What do you do about cars with tinted windows? What do you do about vans and other vehicles with no back windows? What do you do about little old lady drivers when their head doesn't stick up above the seatback? Or short kids getting out of the back seat?
I keep my eyes open and am ready to respond to surprises when I ride. How 'bout you?