City driving presents countless challenges that require constant attention and care. Between busy intersections, distracted pedestrians, and cyclists sharing the road, drivers need to remain vigilant about more than just their own vehicle’s movement. One particular danger often goes unnoticed until it’s too late – the sudden opening of a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist. This incident, known as “dooring,” causes thousands of bicycle accidents each year in urban areas.
The scenario unfolds quickly and dangerously. A driver or passenger exits a parked vehicle without checking their mirrors or looking behind them, swinging their door open directly into the path of a cyclist who has little time to react or avoid collision. The consequences can be severe, potentially throwing the cyclist into traffic or causing serious injury upon impact with the door or pavement. Transportation departments consistently identify dooring as one of the leading causes of cyclist injuries in cities worldwide.
Many municipalities have attempted to address this problem through infrastructure improvements like protected bike lanes, physical barriers, and warning signs. Public awareness campaigns in major cities have also tried to remind drivers to check for cyclists before exiting their vehicles. While these efforts help, the ultimate responsibility lies with each person exiting a vehicle to ensure they’re not creating a dangerous situation for others sharing the road.
This is where a simple technique called the Dutch Reach offers an elegant solution. Originating in the Netherlands where cycling culture is deeply integrated into daily life, this method involves using your far hand to open the car door. Drivers would use their right hand while passengers would use their left hand. This simple switch automatically causes your body to turn toward the window, naturally prompting you to check your side mirror and glance over your shoulder before opening the door.
The beauty of the Dutch Reach lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It transforms door opening from an automatic action into a conscious safety check without requiring additional time or effort. What initially feels slightly awkward quickly becomes second nature, creating a built-in safety mechanism that significantly reduces the risk of dooring accidents. This practice isn’t just for drivers either – passengers in both front and back seats can adopt the same technique to protect cyclists and prevent the legal and emotional consequences of causing an accident.
While the Dutch Reach represents an important individual safety measure, creating truly safe streets requires multiple approaches. Protected bike lanes, clear signage, comprehensive driver education, and community safety workshops all contribute to reducing accidents. However, small individual actions like the Dutch Reach can make an immediate difference in preventing needless injuries. Taking that extra second to check before opening your door could save a cyclist from serious harm and spare everyone involved from preventable tragedy.
