Traffic is stressful, and while accidents happen, many are preventable. One hidden danger is “dooring”—when someone opens a car door into the path of a passing cyclist. The result can be serious injury or worse. I once watched a cyclist nearly crash when a friend opened his door without looking. It was a scary reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.
A simple solution called the Dutch Reach can prevent this. The driver uses their right hand to open the door, while passengers use their left. This naturally turns your body so you look behind you for cyclists or cars. It feels awkward at first, but it quickly becomes a habit—and it works.