Got Doored?

Ever since I started riding in Chicago over two years ago I've been careful to ride that fine line between moving traffic and parked cars. Yesterday that all went to pot when someone didn't look and opened their car door right into my hip. Luckly I walked away injury free, but stunned none the less. At the time I didn't even think to get the lady's info, I was just please that neither I nor my bike were damaged. I even went down to Iron Cycles and had them give the bike a look. The only thing that was injured was my cell phone, which was in my right pocket, and as it seems took the impact for me.

 

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on November 11, 2010 at 7:27am
I pull gently enough that they looked stunned, I just keep going and give a wave like it was both our faults. Maybe next time they will be more careful...

Duppie said:
He doesn't need a verbal exchange. He just exchanges bodily fluids;)

H3N3 said:


Juan said:
Yes, the door zone, it is what I have come to experience of late by pulling on those open doors without falling off just to let those dummys know just how close they are to ruining a cyclists day.
Interesting approach. I think I'm missing a piece though-- how do you get the drivers to consider the potential consequences of their open door? Is there some verbal exchange or maybe a flyer/leaflet you hand them?
Permalink Reply by Ryan L on November 11, 2010 at 7:54am
I'm always shocked how many cyclists ride like 22 MPH down a bike lane. If someone does open their door without looking death will be sure and swift. Getting doored has always been my #1 fear. The greatest problem is people on their cell phones when they park. They are too distracted to think about how dangerous it is to open the door without looking. If I ever do get doored no matter how minor I will call the police and they will hopefully get a fine. Taking away money is the only way stupid humans learn sometimes.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 11, 2010 at 9:46am
This is why so many drivers are now driving way across the centerline (away from parked cars) on narrower two-way streets. Then we have to wave at them and get their attention so they'll move back to the side that they should be on.

milesperhour said:
Glad you're okay!

It just amazes me that people don't look before they open their doors and not necessarily even for bikes, but for other CARS!
Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on November 11, 2010 at 11:04am
It wasn't that long ago that the Wisconsin legislature passed an anti-dooring law and Gov. Doyle signed it. Unfortunately, relatively few non-cycling motorists are aware of this law, or they don't believe they should obey it. I know of too many non-cycling motorists (NCMs) in our central city neighborhoods who still believe bicycles should be on the sidewalk and adults should be using cars. Obviously, on Milwaukee's East Side and in Chicago, this belief conflicts with practicality. We need a way of instructing the NCM without having him cited and maybe arrested.
Permalink Reply by Jason W on November 11, 2010 at 11:35am
Never ride in the door zone. Take the lane. If someone gets pissed that you took the lane, remember, this is the same asshole that would door you if you rode in the door zone.
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on November 3, 2011 at 11:39am

Came close to getting doored again yesterday. Using my many years of riding instincts, I slowed down as I was passing a taxi that had just stopped, and BAM! the rolly polly ignorant passenger swings the fricken door wide open.

I just let my bike roll without skidding into to door to let the passenger and cabbie know what a heinous act they had just perpetrated.

It was kinda funny, the cabbie was very sorry and the passenger was pissed at me for being in his way...

Juan said:

I pull gently enough that they looked stunned, I just keep going and give a wave like it was both our faults. Maybe next time they will be more careful...

Duppie said:
He doesn't need a verbal exchange. He just exchanges bodily fluids;)

H3N3 said:


Juan said:
Yes, the door zone, it is what I have come to experience of late by pulling on those open doors without falling off just to let those dummys know just how close they are to ruining a cyclists day.
Interesting approach. I think I'm missing a piece though-- how do you get the drivers to consider the potential consequences of their open door? Is there some verbal exchange or maybe a flyer/leaflet you hand them?
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on August 14, 2012 at 4:09am

I hope Minh is OK! People, please stop riding the door zone!

Permalink Reply by Uptown Joe on January 12, 2013 at 1:41pm

Doored a few months back for the first time. Was on Armitage near Central Park and this lady in front of a Pentecostal church whipped her door open and hit my right shoulder. My right shoulder is already messed up because of an earlier injury and this didn't help things. Got really swollen, bruised, and scratched. Luckily, that was it and the bike was okay. Typically excuse: I didn't see you! I just kept yelling at her to "Open your eyes and look! Pay attention. Take a few seconds to check. You aren't the only one using the road.

The strange people inside the Pentecostal church came out and wanted to pray for me. You should have seen their faces when my first words were "I'm an atheist. It wont help anything but an ice pack would be appreciated. They actually brought me an ice pack, which I was grateful for. The way they looked at me made me feel like they wanted to kill me and burn my dead body to get rid of the evidence.

Permalink Reply by Uptown Joe on January 12, 2013 at 2:01pm

I never ride in the door zone but for some reason and at that exact moment I was not 100% focused and drifted right in the one spot I should never be. Will NEVER let it happen again!

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 12, 2017 at 10:14am
Recent article by wkyc-tv. Bicyclists, car doors collide with painful results.

http://www.wkyc.com/mb/news/investigations/investigator-do-the-dutc...
Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on July 13, 2017 at 4:00am

Sorry that happened to you. 

Riding down from Evanston to Devon on Chicago Ave / N Clark... always weary of doors before turning on Devon.

The other day actually, an Uber was dropping off a passenger right next to the bike lane (so left side of the bike lane, I guess to not double park along the bike lane) on Wabash on my ride home. I had to yell: stop stop stop! and the passenger closed the door as he saw me coming ON THE BIKE LANE. 

Another instant, a lady on Clark started to open the door and I was able to slow down enough to hold it before it fully opened on me. 

Be careful out there.

Permalink Reply by David Henri on July 13, 2017 at 4:20am

Just last week I missed getting doored on Dearborn by inches.  The driver lets out a "watch where you're riding" comment.  After having a "conversation" with the fellow, I noticed a few things to watch for:

1. I was riding with the wind at my back.  The driver opened the door and the wind caught it, suddenly swinging it wide open.  Be extra careful when riding with the wind at your back.

2. The car was a 2 door, not a 4 door.  2 door vehicles have longer doors.   Now I stay away at least 5 feet minimum from parked cars.

3. I've noticed on Milwaukee (my commuter route), that most bikers take the entire right lane and the cars seem to be fine with that.  The parked cars up ahead preclude anyone driving in the right lane anyway.  In tight spots, just take the lane.  I haven't gotten beeped at in 3 years so far.

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