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LIFE IN THE BIKE LANE

Virginia Legislators Approve 'Dooring' Bill to Protect Bicyclists

The state could soon implement a fine on drivers who put bicyclists at risk

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by Dain Fitzgerald

Staff Writer t +

Image: bicycledriving.org

The lifestyle wars just scored a victory in favor of folks who opt to forgo the automobile.

The Virginia legislature has OK'd a bill that would make it a traffic violation to "door" - "dooring" being the act of keeping one's car door ajar while parked alongside fast-moving traffic at the risk of injuring bicyclists.

Virginia Sen. Chap Petersen's bill would forbid "dooring" unless it's "reasonably safe," and attaches a $100 fine upon any violation, reports the Virginian-Pilot.

Petersen, a Democrat, said dooring represented "a significant injury factor" for many of the state's bicyclists, and it was high time their interests be represented.

"This is not something new or extraordinary," said Petersen, who hopes to shift the "obligation and accountability" for car-bicycle collisions to drivers. "It's just a common sense public safety bill."

Via the Virginian-Pilot and rvanews.com.
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Is this a "common sense" bill that you could support?

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74 Comments (view in Forum)

  • Rocker
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    I see we're still intent on introducing and passing bills that should otherwise be considered common sense or courtesy. I actually know women who still enjoys gentlemen opening and holding doosr for them.
  • TheJimmy
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    We have way too many laws and rules on the books right now mainly because our politicians want to give us all the false impression that we are actually paying then to do something constructive. I'd really prefer that they'd spend more of their time repealing trivial laws instead of constantly making new ones.
  • Cheenoguy
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    If you think about it laws against murder would be unnecessary if common sense wasn't uncommon and if courtesy wasn't rare. Since people can be harmed in this instance from lack of courtesy it makes. On the other hand if bikers being hurt by it is rare it may just be a way to get more ticket money.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    And you consider holding a door open for a woman the type of dooring this law is meant to address? The slogan to get people to stop breaking the door: every date: a crime. Is your girl worth it? Think of the pressure it will add on women to put out...
  • Rocker
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    @PoliticalSpice - O Crap!! I just noticed my boo-boo, Spice, and how unrelated my comment was to the post subject. I need to clarify that I meant holding a door open out of courtesy for a lady - NOT holding open a car door to ambush a cyclist. Thanks for helping to point that out, kinda. Man, I must not have had my thinking cap on. Either that or the coffee hadn't kicked in yet. lol
  • Medicinebow
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    This makes sense. On another note the police should be enforcing traffic laws for bicyclists. Out here in Colorado I have a home along a MAJOR bicycle route up in the mountains. Its a continual issue with bicyclists riding in huge groups and making it difficult to pass them on windy roads. That and the fact that many bicyclists believe stop signs are simply for automobiles make things quite dangerous. It works both ways.....and I ride a bicycle too.
  • stepped_in_it
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    Way too true. Most bicyclist do not know that they have to obey the traffic laws just like a car. I have some who argue with me saying they're suppose to ride on the left side of the road because they can "see" the traffic coming at them.....or that the sidewalk (where available) is where they are supposed to ride. Of course, this is Tennessee.....jeez!
  • Medicinebow
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    @stepped_in_it Believe me...I hear ya. I finally wrote a letter to the county commissioner and started seeing stepped up enforcement. It's almost funny seeing bicycles pulled over. I wrote this letter after a bicyclist told me to do things to myself that are unprintable on here.
  • RoyFloyd
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    We're generally in agreement. I ride a bike almost daily. I also have a car, a motorcycle, and an RV, and the safe use of each is quite different. I'm continually astonished at the driving habits of some asshats who operate each of the above. Yes, I'm all for ticketing bicyclist when they're stupid, discourteous, and causing problems. On the other hand enforcement should be proportionate to the degree of danger caused to others, i.e. how many motorists have been killed or injured due to illegal actions of a bicyclist vs. how many bicyclists have been killed or injured due to the illegal actions of a motorist. Get it? On a bike I'm infuriated daily by drivers who just don't see me or whose behavior indicates a attitude that bikes have no business whatsoever on the roadway--and that includes some cops in their cruiser.

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  • stepped_in_it
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    @norezen "unintention" actions are commonly called accidents. There is then generally then fault (or a percentage of fault) assigned to each driver/rider and then handled in civil court. If, at the time of the accident, one of the drivers/riders are found to have violated a traffic law, then LEO's will ticket that offender. A bike, motorcycle, auto, truck are all treated as moving vehicles.
    This law is nothing more than fodder as there are already laws that prohibit the flow of traffic!
  • norezen
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    @stepped_in_it The law makes it so even if an accident doesn't occur the behavior is still punished. Like a drunk driving or texting while driving law.
  • stepped_in_it
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    @norezen So, opening a door is against the law? HMMM......glad I drive a rag top and a wrangler w/o doors. I'm too old to climb out windows! <sarcasm w/ a grin>

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  • RoyFloyd
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    Of course it's a bike rider's job to keep himself safe, same with the obligation for the driver of any vehicle to keep themself safe. There also exist a variety of laws requiring folks to drive in a manner to keep OTHER people safe.
  • marine1
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    Auto owners should always be accountable for their actions however, if bicylists are going to share the highways with autos, they should also have accountability for their actions along with licensing and insauance. They pose a risk on the highway just like anyone else, not to mention zigging in and out of traffic.
  • Knightkore
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    Bike safety back in my day was a lot more about bicyclists looking out for traffic rather than the reverse....now you've got bikers playing chicken on the road with cars that intentionally or unintentionally would hurt them....in addition many of the bikers are just plain rude....if you can't ride the speed limit stay as far away from traffic as possible....

    One other thing....how about bikes that are on paths that are for runners and walkers that insist on mowing down those running and walking.....

    Sorry but most bikers have an arrogance and little concern for their own life....

    Some actually deserve a door upside the head....
  • stepped_in_it
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    From the Virginia Pilot link:"It’s what occurs when someone opens a car door into a lane with moving traffic and a bicyclist slams into it"
    1) "Turned head" vision is at best extremely poor. Turn your head to look over your shoulder. What you are seeing is without depth and "skewed" due to the bridge of your nose and both eyes not seeing the same thing! Using the mirror on your door will not give the full picture.
    2) I'm a motorcyclist (for 50+ years now). Motorcyclist, like bicyclist, have to have a better picture of their surroundings looking for signs of auto drivers not "seeing" them...they lose use in the confusion of the traffic. Too many motorcyclists (and bicyclists) are not experienced enough to ride in high traffic zones and usually end up as a hood ornament. I can't even tell you how many accidents I have avoided riding my bike in high traffic zones. This bicyclist problem is roughly the same problem motorcyclist have, but, we also have intersections/turn lane issues.
    3) Just another "big government" law, not to be enforced but to "protect" the sheeple from themselves......which is really by biggest issue here (just had to write # 1 & 2 to entertain myself.....hehe)
  • stepped_in_it
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    Yep, in Calif. they have a no idle law for truckers. They kinda backed off the law after a few truckers died in the 100+ temps in the desert areas. Just what we need, more laws to reinforce common sense. Wonder when they're gonna pass a law enforcing right shoe on right foot and left shoe on left foot? ;-)
  • Thunderchicken
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    @stepped_in_it

    That's what bureaucracies do best.(Generate useless paperwork and policies.) My company is another example. If I fell off a toilet and hurt myself, I'd bet we'd have a safe pooping policy in two weeks.
  • stepped_in_it
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    @Thunderchicken Lesson.....don't fall off the toilet as you might incur the wrath of your fellow workers who must now wear seat belts to relieve themselves! LOL
  • Roco
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    @stepped_in_it The biggest problems are rudeness and the lack of commonsense. This leads to more laws being put on the books. How many times to you see some yahoo opening a door to traffic and leaving it open? Especially on two lane wrongs. Until " I'm special and I control the road" attitude diminishes, more "unnecessary" laws will be written.

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  • Keyjo
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    I am a bicycle rider. I have more trouble with inconsiderate motorists abusing the bike lane or turning across in front of me. I have learned that, like pedestrians, though we may have the right of way, automobile drivers don't always yield. Bicyclists also have to realize that we present a much smaller presence and can be difficult to see, especially on heavy traffic roads where drivers must consentrate on many things at once. Bicyclists should ride with anticipation, more so when we have to ride on the wrong side of the road or on inclement days. And have lights front and rear at night and on gray days. I am both a bicyclist and a professional driver with many miles and hours on the road. We all fail to see things, make mistakes. Watch drivers' eyes, make sure they see you. Drive/ride defensively.
  • stepped_in_it
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    I have taken at least 4 defensive driving courses (due to my CDL and renewing every 2 years). I also have taken both beginner and advanced MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) courses and have also taught that same course (a request from a local com. College). I believe all drivers and riders should have to take these 4 hours courses to get their licenses and every 5 years after that.....they do teach you a lot and save lives!
  • Keyjo
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    @stepped_in_it
    Yeah. My old cab company in L.A. required all drivers to take an 8 hour devensive driving class every 6 months. We went from an average of 4 accidents daily to an average of 3. Not bad out of a fleet of 4,000 vehicles.
  • methinks
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    Ever drive through Center City Philly? I have ZERO tolerance for the nuts on bikes. They swerve in and out of traffic; dart out between parked cars and even dart onto sidewalks. We were at Independence Hall a few years ago, walking along the sidewalk and this moron jumped up on the sidewalk and almost hit my son!

    And don't get me started on the Lance Armstrong wannabees in the spandex. Give me a break.

    When cyclists start obeying traffic laws, then I'll give them respect. but not today.
  • Comment removed for Engagement Etiquette violation. Replies may also be deleted.
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    BelinKS
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    All you have to do is check that no cyclist is coming then open the door, get out and shut it. Cyclist need to be cautious also. They are not the only ones on the street. They should be liable if the door was already opening before they took off. Also the same after the person is out of the car. This could open up a host of lawsuits beyond a ticket by cyclist trying to make this happen to make money.
  • Grubby
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    Not needed. If you intentionally cause injury it is already a crime. The only way to have a definable crime here is to outlaw functioning drivers side doors. Make everyone get in on the passenger side and slide over or crawl over the bucket seats. Virginia can do that if they like. The rest of us will safely use our drivers side doors thank you.
  • Russell797
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    A a bicyclists myself I know first hand the danger presented by this thoughtless behaviour. Leaving a door open to what is a travel lane, or opening without first looking not only is a danger to cyclists, but also to passing vehicles of all types. How does society discourage bad behaviour which endangers others?
  • methinks
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    When your compadres start obeying the rest of the traffic laws, then I'll consider it. The majority of cyclists I encounter do not obey traffic laws...especially the fruits in their spandex suits.
  • Russell797
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    @methinks Many cyclists are ignorant of the law. Bicyclist must obey the exact same laws as any other vehicle, motorized or not. Contrary to what many may think, they also have the exact same rights as motorized vehicles, including using the entire lane if need be. Maybe if you and everyone else changed their thinking on issues such as this away from us against them and instead lead by example, behaviour would slowly change for the better.
  • MadAmerican
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    Until the cyclist start paying taxes for road use and have a license plate they need to stay off the road! Often they are the ones going through red lights, blocking traffic when riding in bunches and not moving over. If they are going to be on the road they need to obey the rules too. As is if someone dilebrately opens a door and causes harm I believe that is assult.
  • cat2009
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    We have to share the road with bicycles and I don't have a problem with that but my issue is the bicyclist that runs through red lights doesn't stop at a stop sign doesn't wait at a light instead chooses to go in between cars to get to the front. How come we never see an officer giving citations for any offenses they commit while on the bike.
  • Tralee
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    It's stupid, so opening your door and getting things together to get out is now going to be an offense that can be fined? Really, this is nuts. Perhaps we need a few applied traffic laws for bicyclists. After all, they seem to ignore them routinely while clogging traffic around here. We live in an area of winding, narrow, no shoulder, back roads, typically the haunt of bikers. They love it out here, it's pretty, beautiful homes to look at, lots of hills and twists and turns etc. to make a nice enjoyable ride. Too bad they tend to ride in a gaggle of anywhere from 5 to 15 and seem to think that the rules of the road and "Sharing the Road" is only for cars. I have been in a locked up parade of crawling cars blocked from passing by the twists and turns of the road and the shear number of riders, riding 3 or more abreast, not leaving the mandatory one yard of clearance to pass a bike. I have been challenged on just which side to pass a bike out here by the fact that said bike is gleefully, riding down the middle of the two lane road, studiously keeping his wheels exactly between the 2 yellow lines that divide the road. Which side to pass on? Should I give a tiny beep to get his attention? If so, will I be flipped the usual one fingered salute so common to bikers in this area? Really, if "Share the Road" is the mantra, it should apply to all on the road and all on the road need to follow the rules of traffic on those roads.
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