The Dutch Reach: A No-Tech Way to Save Bicyclists’ Lives
The Dutch Reach is a reach to ask for, IMO. I write this as a cyclist living in Vancouver (one city named in the article) who has been doored and nearly doored. IME, shoulder checks <i>while actually driving</i> seem to be a dying art form. So asking for a while-parked check like the Dutch Reach ... seems optimistic. But no harm in trying. The illustration is great. I applaud all efforts to make this technique more known.<p>Fellow cyclists, you already know this, but please watch sideview mirrors of parked vehicles and all other signs of people and passengers and assume the worst.<p>Infrastructure should, IMO, allow an extra foot or two in lane designs especially when they are adjacent to different users (i.e. motorist, cyclist, pedestrian). This allows for swervy cyclists, swervy motorists, bad parkers, and people &quot;not from here&quot; a safety buffer. The latter group is one you&#x27;re just not going to ever reach with urban education like the article, yet they are a significant vehicular presence in a many popular cities, whether they&#x27;re driving their own vehicles, an unfamiliar rental, or getting out of a taxi cab.<p>I&#x27;ll give an example. All infrastructure design decisions have pros and cons. Here&#x27;s a style of bike lane on the &quot;passenger&quot; side that catches motorists off guard (when they park too far to the right, near the lane) and passengers off guard because neither expect to find a cyclist on their right.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.google.ca&#x2F;maps&#x2F;@49.2790648,-123.1195244,3a,75y,214.64h,71.34t&#x2F;data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7rZLbmXvAV0-H9ApXRwRcg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.google.ca&#x2F;maps&#x2F;@49.2790648,-123.1195244,3a,75y,2...</a><p>How about some opening-door-tech that alerts you quickly and loudly when an object approaches your door as you begin to swing it open? Good for passing traffic, bicycles, etc.<p>BTW, I appreciate that cycling news shows up on HN from time to time. It&#x27;s truly a civilized activity and IMO has an important role in the future of cities. Keep pedalling. :-)