Lipsey: Concerns around dooring and the Dutch solution

“Dooring,” the common term for bike/car accidents, statistically causes the majority of harmful biking incidents. In Aspen, with a growing number of bike lanes adjacent to parallel parking, the number of harmful incidents will inevitably increase. 

However, in the Netherlands, where bikes rule, a simple solution has prevented thousands of “dooring” injuries and even fatalities. It’s called the “Dutch Reach,” wherein drivers use their right hand to physically twist their head and body to the left and check for oncoming cyclists or pedestrians before opening the car door. It works so well that one cannot get a drivers license in the NL without demonstrating knowledge of this method. Spreading the idea locally by word of mouth, safety brochures, etc., could greatly reduce the probability of harmful accidents.

Bill Lipsey

Aspen