AVOID BEING CAR-DOORED

Don’t get caught out by unaware drivers or passengers

“Cyclists’ collisions with car and van doors cause some of the most severe chest injuries we see,” explains Paul Hamilton, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Spire St Anthony’s Hospital in Surrey. A few evasive steps may mean you’ll never have to meet Paul…

CENTRAL LINE

“Road position and visibility are the most important parts of avoiding getting taken out by a motorist doing this,” says James McCallum, coach with training company whatsyourmeta.com. “Observe the traffic around you, moving to a more central position on the road and giving yourself a door’s width space before you approach parked vehicles. Good hand signals and getting eye contact with other road users is important too.”

DRIVEN VISION

Busy roads where drivers are pulling up to rush to shops or drop off school kids – often with half an eye out for the traffic wardens – are where cyclists are shown the least consideration. “Always be aware of your surroundings, so look into the car as well as between them as it’s not only drivers opening doors you have to look for but also pedestrians crossing and appearing as if from nowhere between vehicles,” says McCallum.

STAND OUT

A split second glance in their wing mirror is all most drivers will give before opening the door. “Give yourself more chance of not being hit by making yourself as visible as possible, so a hi vis top and LED light front and back should be a minimum,” says McCallum. “A bell or horn is also useful to help make people aware you are there.”