Dooring Etiquette

I had two near-doorings yesterday.  Both times I said (after shouting DOOR!!! and swerving to avoid it)  "Please look before you open your door" to the driver.  The first guy gave me a puzzled look and the second guy said "Well don't run into my door!"  (FYI, dude, I'm traffic, the light is green ahead and this is a bike lane!!!  I wanted to say but I had passed by him already)

It made me wonder how other people handle these interactions.  Is there anything to say or do that you've found to be particularly effective?

I loved the video Ash shared on FB today, the biker in it kicked his potential doorer back into the car as he passed... HA HA

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on March 8, 2012 at 2:07pm

Knock on wood, I have never been doored. Constantly looking into parked cars to see if there are any occupants that will suddenly open their doors. Always riding away from parked cars anyways, just to safely assert my right to the road.

When I came close a few times, I was far enough away that I was able to suddenly pull their door open just to let them know how close they came to potentially killing a cyclist.

Their reactions were of surprize and anger.

Stupid cagers.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on March 8, 2012 at 3:41pm

That dooring is some crazy thing.  Before moving from the city, I asked so many people if they knew what "dooring" was.....85% didn't.

Loved the link btw!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 8, 2012 at 3:55pm

I've found that the best way to avoid being doored is to stay out of the door zone.   It's not always possible -but it's a good idea to stay out of it as much as possible.  If you aren't in the door zone you can't get doored. 

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on March 9, 2012 at 3:53am

It's not always possible to simply stay out of the door zone. 

If I'm calm enough and have enough time to get over or slow down, I'll usually say something like a quick "please look next time" or "you're not the only person out here sir (or ma'am)."  It's not always that pleasant though.  Last week on Lincoln just south of Belmont a woman opened her door wide enough to bump into the cab that was actually waiting for the light in the lane right as I got there.  She was parked so far from the curb her door spanned the entire remainder of my bike lane!  I did not handle that one well, and ended up screaming obscenities at this confused woman.  Not my finest moment but they can't all be politely handled. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 9, 2012 at 4:08am

While I agree that is not always possible to stay out the door zone it is not reasonable to expect someone else to always be looking out for your safety -rather it should be the paramount responsibility of every individual to keep themselves safe from the inappropriate, unthinking, and irresponsible actions of others.

One is always in control and when it is necessary to ride in the door zone then one should slow down to such a degree that a dooring can still be avoided by braking and give one enough time to react.  While people in cars should be looking for us and NOT opening their doors into traffic it is not reasonable to expect them to act in such a reasonable and responsible way as anyone who has ridden the mean streets knows that this just isn't going to happen.  There will ALWAYS be these people out there and to expect to somehow magically be able to bomb down the door zone at speeds one isn't able to stop for an inappropriate car door thrown open is suicidal pollyannaism.  Expecting someone else to do the right thing when we know they don't and won't in today's real world. 

Stay out of the door zone or slow way down to expect the inevitable.  It's your life and limb.  Use your head.  I'm not saying it is right that people in cars are idiots and unthinkingly door bikes, but until there is a real change in the way people drive and pay attention this isn't going to change.

Permalink Reply by April on March 9, 2012 at 5:45am

OK People!  This conversation has digressed!  People have offered solid advice on how to avoid being doored--great!  That list could go on for a long time (I'd add watch for taillights and listen for the clicking of doors opening) but this discussion is about how to interact with drivers. How can we take advantage of the moment to create awareness to make road use safe for everyone. 

Jeremy's response,  If I'm calm enough and have enough time to get over or slow down, I'll usually say something like a quick "please look next time" or "you're not the only person out here sir (or ma'am)." is more relevant.

Has anyone had a meaningful interaction?  Has a driver ever apologized?  Do you say anything or keep riding?  Do drivers generally say anything to you?

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 9, 2012 at 5:56am

I always try to tell them to look before they open the door.  I've  def had some near misses.  Most drivers are pretty respectful and say sorry. 

I just want them to remember next time.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 9, 2012 at 5:58am

From the situations I have seen where there have been close-calls and (unfortunately) actual contact the driver usually feels they are in the right and the "stupid bike" hit them and should "watch where they are going."  I really doubt that any street confrontation during/after the event is going to change this preconception on the part of drivers.

The way this is going to be solved is education at the mass-media level to change the way drivers behave in traffic -and to just get more bikes on the road so that drivers start to realize at a subconscious level that we are going to be there and they need to look for us.  But the issue is probably never going to go away as long as we are forced to ride so close to the door zone and people are getting in and out of cars. 

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 9, 2012 at 6:03am

Okay, this may sound odd, but when I start to see a door opening, I do a strange and very loud yell that my husband Rob taught me- it starts out "Day-OH, day is a day is a day ay o" (the beginning of the song, " wanna go home"). This has stopped the majority of people from opening their doors by grabbing their attention, then I yell a quick-"thanks!" and I usually get a smile or nod.  I usually try to travel the furthest from the door zone as possible, but I will still yell out when I see a door open into the lane. I have also used the word "WHOA" very loudly, then again, as I am passing, I usually say "thanks for looking out" as I am going by (at times, this can be wholehearted thanks, and other times, it can be said sarcastically, depending on the situation).   I would say it is 50/50 with positive and negative reactions, but so far, it has kept me safe. The song is kind of fun to yell out, too, and keeps me in a positive mood in what usually could erupt into something angry and spiteful spewing from my lips. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 9, 2012 at 6:17am

I vocalize as well but instead of "Day-ooh" I find that HIA-OHHHHH! is easier to start -you have to build up pressure to start the D sound while a HAI is just instantly vocalizing and can easily be flipped into the  OOOH part by opening the mouth further, deepening the chest and dropping the tone.  

The two sylabals/tones tend to make the entire vocalization more noticable and heard by the intended person and usually stops someone right in their tracks.  I also use my bell which is mounted/nested RIGHT THERE over over my right brake lever so it's just a matter of pulling at it with my index finger.

I learned this vocalization racing single-track and it is the best way to get another biker's attention -it also works very well with cars -even sometimes with the windows up and the stereo going -then again I've got a big mouth (no kidding.)

And to follow up on the "song theme" one can always break into a few more Hai-oh's and off to work we go or add a SILVER! at the end if they are fans of The Lone Ranger...

Melanie K said:

Okay, this may sound odd, but when I start to see a door opening, I do a strange and very loud yell that my husband Rob taught me- it starts out "Day-OH, day is a day is a day ay o" (the beginning of the song, " wanna go home"). This has stopped the majority of people from opening their doors by grabbing their attention, then I yell a quick-"thanks!" and I usually get a smile or nod.  I usually try to travel the furthest from the door zone as possible, but I will still yell out when I see a door open into the lane. I have also used the word "WHOA" very loudly, then again, as I am passing, I usually say "thanks for looking out" as I am going by (at times, this can be wholehearted thanks, and other times, it can be said sarcastically, depending on the situation).   I would say it is 50/50 with positive and negative reactions, but so far, it has kept me safe. The song is kind of fun to yell out, too, and keeps me in a positive mood in what usually could erupt into something angry and spiteful spewing from my lips. 

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 9, 2012 at 6:21am

I'm not sure I can condone the exploitation of Chicagoans' fear of Harry Belafonte for your own personal gain, but I'm glad you found something that works for you.  

Melanie K said:

Okay, this may sound odd, but when I start to see a door opening, I do a strange and very loud yell that my husband Rob taught me- it starts out "Day-OH, day is a day is a day ay o" (the beginning of the song, " wanna go home"). This has stopped the majority of people from opening their doors by grabbing their attention, then I yell a quick-"thanks!" and I usually get a smile or nod.  [snip]

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 9, 2012 at 6:32am

I will exploit whatever fears that will keep me safe from harm :)  

Kevin C said:

I'm not sure I can condone the exploitation of Chicagoans' fear of Harry Belafonte for your own personal gain, but I'm glad you found something that works for you.  

Melanie K said:

Okay, this may sound odd, but when I start to see a door opening, I do a strange and very loud yell that my husband Rob taught me- it starts out "Day-OH, day is a day is a day ay o" (the beginning of the song, " wanna go home"). This has stopped the majority of people from opening their doors by grabbing their attention, then I yell a quick-"thanks!" and I usually get a smile or nod.  [snip]

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