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Cycling Infrastructure Improvements And How it Can Reduce Dooring

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With the growing popularity of cycling in cities, increasing public safety for cyclists has become an important area of focus. One key aspect that is being addressed when considering bicycle safety is efforts to reduce car dooring – a type of crash caused by drivers or passengers opening car doors without looking for nearby cyclists.

Improving cycling infrastructure can be an effective solution to reducing this dangerous practice. In this blog post, we will explore how improving cycling infrastructure can help reduce dooring and make roads more accessible and safe for people who ride bikes.

What is “dooring”?

Dooring is a term used to describe a type of collision that occurs between a cyclist and a car door that has been opened without checking for oncoming traffic. A car hitting a cyclist is a common cause of accidents in urban areas, where traffic is heavy and cyclists often ride in bike lanes next to parked cars. The consequences of car dooring can be severe, resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities.

To prevent dooring, drivers are advised to always check their mirrors and look for cyclists before opening their car doors, while cyclists are urged to ride a safe distance away from parked vehicles.

Examples of cycling infrastructure improvements that can reduce dooring

There are several infrastructure improvements that cities can make to reduce car dooring incidents, such as:

  • Widening bike lanes: By increasing the width of existing bike lanes, cyclists can be given more room to move away from parked cars and reduce their chances of experiencing dooring.
  • Installing buffer zones: A buffer zone between the bike lane and parked cars can provide cyclists with additional protection against a car door hitting a cyclist. It can also help to reduce on-road collisions between cyclists and cars.
  • Improve access to bike lanes: Poorly maintained or blocked bike lanes can make it more difficult for cyclists to use them safely. Improving access to these important cycling routes will ensure that cyclists are able to ride with greater confidence and security.
  • Designated no-parking zones: By creating no-parking zones near bike lanes, drivers can be discouraged from parking in close proximity to cyclists, thus reducing the risk of dooring incidents.
  • Cycle lane barriers: These barriers can be installed alongside bike lanes to physically protect cyclists from the possibility of a car hitting a cyclist.

 

Benefits of improved cycle infrastructure

Overall, improved cycling infrastructure can help reduce the risk of car dooring and improve safety for cyclists. Additionally, it can provide many other benefits, such as:

  • Increased mobility for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
  • Improved air quality due to less traffic congestion on roads.
  • Greater accessibility to bike lanes for people of all ages and abilities.
  • Enhanced public health due to increased physical activity from cycling.
  • Reduced noise pollution in cities due to fewer cars on the road.

 

Other ways to reduce dooring accidents

While improved cycling infrastructure can play an important role in reducing dooring, other measures can be taken to help reduce the risk of this type of crash, such as the Dutch Reach and public education campaigns.

What is the Dutch Reach?

The Dutch Reach is a method of exiting vehicles that involves using the hand furthest away from the door to open it. This simple technique encourages drivers and passengers to turn their heads and bodies and look for cyclists before opening their car doors.

As a result, the Dutch Reach method can help reduce dooring incidents significantly, making roads safer for cyclists.

How the public can get involved in advocating for bicycle infrastructure improvements in their community

The public can get involved in advocating for improved cycling infrastructure in their city or town by contacting local government representatives to encourage them to prioritise cycling infrastructure improvements.

Additionally, they can join local cycling advocacy groups like Cycling UK and participate in their campaigns to bring attention to the issue. People can also use social media to raise awareness of the benefits of improved bicycle infrastructure and rally support for these initiatives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, improved cycling infrastructure can help reduce dooring incidents and make roads safer for cyclists. By widening bike lanes, installing buffer zones, improving access to bike lanes, and introducing designated no-parking zones, cities can create a more accessible and secure environment for people who ride bikes. Other measures, such as the Dutch Reach and public education, can also help reduce the risk of car dooring.

What to do if you are hit by a car on a bike

If you are hit by a car on a bike, you could be entitled to personal injury compensation. At Cycle SOS, our team of solicitors can offer a range of services, such as expert legal consultation, support in negotiating settlements, and recovery of medical expenses and loss of earnings.

To find out more about our services or how to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can also email us or schedule a callback.

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.