The door zone, and riding too far to the right

[ny biker]

Excellent column on avoiding the "door zone," that part of the road (sometimes a bike lane) where you are vulnerable to being hit by someone opening the door of a parked car.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/road/legally-speaking-the-door-zone_366769

Note the links to check relevant laws in your state.

Also note his comments about riding as far to the right as is safe, which is often not the same as as far to the right as possible. This is an important point of which many cyclists are not aware.

[rebeccaC]

i still open my car door with my right hand :)

chicago has been doing some research on door zones (http://chi.streetsblog.org/2014/07/29/study-shows-only-buffered-bike-lanes-keep-bicyclists-outside-door-zone/)

[salsabike]

Very interesting article, rebeccaC. Thanks.