Cycling UK has launched a campaign urging the government to introduce measures to prevent 'car-dooring' – incidents where cyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians are injured or killed by carelessly opened car doors. The group wants the 'Dutch reach' technique, which involves opening a car door with the opposite hand to force the driver to look behind, to be included in driving tests.
Government figures from 2011 to 2015 show that eight people died from car-dooring, including five cyclists. However, Cycling UK believes the true number of injuries is much higher, with 3,108 reported hurt during that period. The organisation is calling for an information campaign to warn cyclists to ride further from parked cars and for the Dutch reach to be taught to new drivers.
Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite supported the idea, calling it 'a simple step' to reduce the risk of dooring, especially in congested cities. The Department for Transport previously dismissed the proposal, but has now said it will consider new cycle safety messages as part of its Think! campaign.
The campaign follows high-profile incidents, including one where Transport Secretary Chris Grayling knocked a cyclist off his bike while opening a car door. In another case, Olukayode Ibrahim collided with a car door in London, sustaining a sprained wrist. He described the experience as 'knowing what was about to happen and being unable to do anything about it'.
Cycling UK is also highlighting the case of Sam Boulton, a schoolteacher killed when he was knocked into the path of a van after a taxi passenger opened her door. The passenger was fined £80, while the driver is appealing against his conviction. The maximum fine for car-dooring is £1,000, even if the victim dies, which Cycling UK says does not reflect the seriousness of the offence.
