The Dutch Reach: What Is it and Why Should You Be Using It?

More and more people in the US are looking for a more environmentally friendly option for short journeys and, unsurprisingly, sales of bicycles have skyrocketed over the last five years. Around 863,979 people now primarily commute via bike.

Unfortunately, there has also been a connected increase in cyclist deaths, with federal data indicating that the number of cyclists who die each year has hovered between 600 and 800 for the past several decades, with an average of 800 per year from 2006 to 2016.

Across America, initiatives have been put in place to protect cyclists, especially in urban areas. Programs like Vision Zero have resulted in an increase in new bike lanes, bike-friendly road designs, increased signage, and other attempts to make roads safer for cyclists in cities such as New York, Denver, Austin, and Los Angeles.

However, the safety of other road users is always in your hands, and one of the ways you can ensure that is by reducing one the most common causes of cyclist accidents, “dooring.”

What Is “Dooring”?

Dooring is exactly what it sounds like. It is when a motorist opens the door of their vehicle into a cyclist. This can be the fault of the driver, the cyclist or a combination of both, but most often results in injury to the cyclist.

One of the most famous incidents of dooring caught on camera was in 2016 when Chris Grayling, the then Transport Secretary for the UK and man in charge of keeping cyclists safe on the streets of London, “doored” a cyclist off his bike while exiting his car.

Using the “Dutch Reach” to Prevent Dooring

One of the most common reasons that a door is opened into a cyclist is the perfectly reasonable fact that the most common way to open a car door is with the leading hand, that is to say, the hand closest to the door.

The issue with this is that is can be done while facing forward and the most common cause of dooring is drivers not checking for oncoming cyclists before opening their door.

The Dutch Reach, so-called because it is mandatory in Holland, a county famous for its cyclists, instructs the driver to use the offhand, the one usually used for changing gear to open the door.

This change of hand naturally turns the driver’s head so it becomes easier and instinctual to look over the shoulder and check for oncoming cyclists. Using the offhand also limits how far the door can be opened, meaning the door cannot just be swung open into the middle of the street.

The Dutch Reach is expected to become part of driving tests across Europe and America over the next decade to reduce cyclist injuries and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has already released the following advice for both drivers and cyclists:

Advice for Drivers

Check your rear-view mirror and side-view mirror before opening your car door with your far-side hand. The Dutch Reach forces your body to turn, making it a habit to look for cyclists.

Open your door slowly at first, do not fling it open.

Advice for Cyclists

Cycle outside of the ‘door zone’. Ride at least a metre away from parked cars to avoid opening car doors on streets with and without cycle lanes. It is useful to remember the saying: ‘Door and a bit more.’

Be aware of situations that could indicate a car door opening. Look out for recently-parked vehicles, vehicles with occupants visible through the window, taxi or delivery vehicles or the sight or sound of a door opening.

Expert Training

The Northwest Driving School and Traffic School provides the Las Vegas community with live driving and traffic classes taught by seasoned instructors. All of our driving instructors have passed background checks, each automobile is DMV safety-approved and every member of the Northwest family is committed to providing excellent drivers ed and behind the wheel instruction.

At Northwest, you can expect to find outstanding classes, both on campus and behind the wheel, that are engaging, fact-filled, entertaining and geared toward success. We make no bones about it, we believe that Northwest provides the best driving lessons in Las Vegas, no matter your age or background. We are proud of the fact that 98% of our students pass their test on the first try. Call us at (702) 403-1592 to start your driving adventure with one of our expert instructors.

Written by:
Rich Heinrich
Master Instructor, Emeritus