So I doored a cyclist yesterday... :(

I was leaving Silvie's yesterday (well, not LEAVING leaving, just had to run outside to grab my amp, was there to perform), and their doors all open out. Just when I opened the door, *wham!*...right into a guy riding his bike on the sidewalk. I didn't -- and couldn't -- see him coming.

So...here's a summary:

- He was riding on the sidewalk, which is illegal

- He had no helmet on (but he landed on his side and his head didn't hit the ground)

- Regardless of the sidewalk law, he was still going in the wrong direction

Thankfully, he wasn't hurt too bad, said he was okay, and was able to get up and ride away. I did tell him, "That's why there's a law against riding on the sidewalk. You gotta be careful, man."

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on August 22, 2016 at 8:04am
https://chicagocode.org/13-160-250/

I believe that according to Chicago building code, business establishment exit doors when open, shall not project into a public way. (Not open outward onto the sidewalk).
Permalink Reply by BikeScnhook on August 22, 2016 at 8:34am

Well...heh...if you look at the Yelp! reviews that Silvie's has, I...have a feeling they don't care much about rules and regulations. :/

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on August 23, 2016 at 4:50am

That building code link says businesses serving more than 50 persons (I assume that to be capacity) need to have exit doors that "swing in the direction of exit travel".

That is in case of a fire, or other emergency, the first person to the door will be able to push it outward without the crowd approaching from behind preventing the door from being pulled inward.

Permalink Reply by BikeScnhook on August 23, 2016 at 4:57am

Heh....after reading this, it occurred to me that in the entrance to the building where I work, the door opens out...I remember almost beaning an old lady in the nose once (again, couldn't see oncoming foot traffic!) -- thankfully I not only barely missed her, but somehow she didn't even notice!

Oh....and the kicker....our bike storage unit's door also opens out, again with almost no view of oncoming foot traffic! Just realized that this morning when I was putting my bike away...

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on August 24, 2016 at 2:49am

Maybe you weren't in Chicago back in 2003 when 21 people died in a stampede at the E2 Nightclub due to exit doors which did not open outwards?

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on August 24, 2016 at 7:42am

Is there a right direction on a sidewalk? 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on August 24, 2016 at 7:59am
Not much room to walk on these narrow sidewalks, who would even cycle on them? That big flower pot to the side of the front of the door is a hazard.

IL-19

https://goo.gl/maps/FwQft4WCLoR2
Permalink Reply by BikeScnhook on August 24, 2016 at 8:05am

He was heading east on the west-bound side.

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