Fear of dooring is one of the motivations for this. It's one of the most common causes for bike crashes. News stories like this one help to reinforce that fear. Whether you have a lot of riding experience or you're a newbie, do you know all the things you can legally do to avoid getting doored?
1. Look through the rear window of the car to see if you can spot someone in the car. This isn't always possible due to things like tinted windows, glare and big headrests, but it's a good starting point.
2. When possible, especially in situations where it's your only safe option, ride 3 feet or further out into the traffic lane, outside the door zone. This is called "taking the lane" and it is legal when riding closer to the curb is unsafe. Where we have bike lanes, the best designs create a buffer space between parked cars and bike traffic, as in this example.
Where there are no bike lanes, having shared lane markings and signs can remind drivers that we have a legal right to the road.
3. Scan the tail lights of parked cars ahead and watch for brake lights turning off. If someone has just taken their foot off the brake, they may open the door very soon afterwards.
4. Scan the side mirrors of parked cars ahead and look for a face or signs of movement. This can also warn of a door that's about to open.
5. f you see a door opening, call out "wait!" or "stop!" The driver will often pause and look, and they will usually wait for you to pass before fully opening their door.
In combination with the ideas above, one of the best things you can do is ride as often as possible, even if it's only 1 or 2 miles per trip. Riding more often builds your skill level and confidence on the bike. When your riding skills are more solid, it's easier to pay attention to signs that may warn of a potential dooring, because your attention isn't focused on operating the bike.
Take care and ride safe. If more of us are out there on bikes, drivers get more used to watching for us.
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