• Home
  • SUBSCRIBE!
  • Garmin Edge Bike Computers
    • Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared
      • ALL Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared with Detailed Chart: Edge 130 Plus, Explore, 530, 830 and 1030 Plus
      • Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 Plus Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison, Reviews and Videos
      • Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs. 130 Plus Bike Computers: Premium vs. Budget!
      • Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 GPS Bike Computers: Full Review and Comparison of GPS Bike Computers with Navigation
      • Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 GPS Bike Computers
    • Garmin Edge vs. Wahoo Bike Computers
      • Garmin Edge 530 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
      • Garmin Edge 520 Plus vs Wahoo ELEMNT
      • Garmin Edge 520 vs. Wahoo ELEMNT
      • Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt vs Garmin Edge 130 Plus Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison, with Videos
    • 9 New Features in the Garmin Edge 830
    • 7 of the Best Fitness Trackers for Cyclists – Fitbit and Garmin
    • How to Upload Your Bike Rides to Strava While Garmin Connect is Down
  • About
    • Start Here!
    • Contact Us
  • Product Reviews
    • Garmin Edge and Wahoo Bike Computers
      • Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared: Versus Posts!
        • ALL Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared with Chart & Video: Edge 130 Plus, Explore, 530, 830 and 1030 Plus
        • Garmin Edge 530 vs. 830 vs. 1030 Plus Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison, Reviews and Videos
        • Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs. 130 Plus: Premium vs. Budget!
        • Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs Garmin Edge 1030. What’s NEW About the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus?
      • Garmin Edge vs. Wahoo Bike Computers
        • Garmin Edge 530 vs. Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
        • Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt vs. Garmin Edge 130 Plus Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison, with Videos
        • Garmin Edge 520 Plus vs Wahoo ELEMNT
        • Garmin Edge 520 vs. Wahoo ELEMNT
      • Garmin Varia Vision and Varia Rear Light Radar
      • How to Upload Your Bike Rides to Strava While Garmin Connect is Down
    • 7 of the Best Budget Indoor Bike Trainers, 2021
    • Bike Computer Reviews
      • Best Cheap Bike Computers Under $65, 2020 – Includes Budget Wireless Computers
      • Best Bike Computers, 2020 – Includes CatEye, Garmin, and Wireless Bike Computers
      • ALL Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared with Detailed Chart & Videos: Edge 130 Plus, Explore, 530, 830 and 1030 Plus
      • Quick Links to our Best Posts about Bike Computers
    • Cycling Gear Reviews
      • 7 of the Best Budget Indoor Bike Trainers, 2021
      • 7 of the Best Women’s Cycling Jackets, 2020 – Waterproof and Windproof
        • Best Cheap Cycling Jackets under $100
        • Best Cycling Jackets
      • 7 of the Best Waterproof Cycling Pants for Men and Women, 2021
        • How to Choose the Best Waterproof Cycling Pants
        • Showers Pass Rogue Cycling Pants – Review by Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist
        • 3 Regular-Looking Pants that Work Well as Cycling Pants
      • 9 of the Best Waterproof Cycling Jackets for Men and Women, 2021
      • 7 of the Best Cycling Balaclavas to Keep Your Head Warm this Winter
      • Best Waterproof Cycling Gear for Men and Women, 2020
      • 7 of the Best Short Sleeved Cycling Jerseys for 2021
      • 7 of the Best Cheap Cycling Jackets Under $100
    • 90 Best Gifts for Cyclists – Our Ultimate Gift Guide for Cyclists
    • Bike Pannier Reviews
      • 7 of the Best Waterproof Bike Panniers, 2020 – for Better Bike Commuting and Touring
      • Best Waterproof Bike Panniers for Touring and Commuting: Ortlieb Bike Panniers
      • Best Commuter/Bike Touring Panniers: Two Wheel Gear Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier Review
    • Bike Light Reviews
      • 7 of the Best Bike Lights for Night Riding and Commuting, 2021
      • Quick Links to Our Best Posts about Bike Lights
      • 3 of the best bike lights for commuter cyclists – Light & Motion Urban 350 vs. CatEye Volt 800 vs. NiteRider Lumina 750
    • Bike Saddles
      • 9 of the Best Road Bike Saddles, 2021
      • How to Choose the Right Bike Saddle
    • Headphone Reviews
      • 5 of the Best Headphones for Safe Cycling in 2021
    • Recumbent Trikes
  • Bike Computers
    • Garmin Edge Bike Computers
      • Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared
        • ALL Garmin Edge Bike Computers Compared with Detailed Chart & Videos: Edge 130 Plus, Explore, 530, 830 and 1030 Plus
        • Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 Plus Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison, Reviews and Videos
        • Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs Garmin Edge 1030. What’s NEW About the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus?
        • Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 GPS Bike Computers: Full Review and Comparison of GPS Bike Computers with Navigation
        • Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs. 130 Plus Bike Computers: Premium vs. Cheap
      • Garmin Edge vs. Wahoo Bike Computers
        • Garmin Edge 530 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
        • Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt vs Garmin Edge 130 Plus Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison, with Videos
        • Garmin Edge 520 Plus vs Wahoo ELEMNT
        • Garmin Edge 520 vs. Wahoo ELEMNT
    • Quick Links to our Best Posts about Bike Computers
    • Best Cheap Bike Computers Under $65, 2020 – Includes Budget Wireless Computers
    • Best Bike Computers, 2020 – Includes CatEye, Garmin, and Wireless Bike Computers
    • 7 of the Best Bike Computers, 2020 – from Budget to Premium
  • Health Benefits
    • Cycling Knee Pain
      • 5 Doctor’s Tips to Start Cycling Again after Knee Replacement Surgery
      • How to Prevent Cycling Knee and Hip Pain – Complete Guide to Stretching for Cyclists
      • How to Cure Cycling Knee Pain with a Miraculous, Cheap Cure
      • 7 Ways to Prevent Cycling Knee Pain
      • Video: 3 Exercises for Cycling Knee Pain
      • 5 Great Strength and Conditioning Exercises for Cyclists
      • Top 7 Strength Building Exercises for Cyclists
    • Cycling and Strength
      • How Cycling Can Help You to Stay Strong as You Age
        • How Strength Training Can Boost Your Cycling Speed and Quality of Life
    • Cycling and Sleep
      • How Cycling Helps You to Sleep Better and Get Healthier
      • Why Cycling May Be the Sleep Aid You Need
      • How I Became a Bike Commuter and Shed Stress Immediately
      • One in Three Cyclists Experience Reduced Stress Levels
    • Cycling and Aging
      • Study Shows that Interval Training on a Bike is the Best Exercise to Fight Aging
      • Study Shows that Cycling Really Does Fight Aging
      • How Cycling Can Help You to Stay Strong as You Age
        • How Strength Training Can Boost Your Cycling Speed and Quality of Life
        • 5 Great Strength and Conditioning Exercises for Cyclists
        • Top 7 Strength Building Exercises for Cyclists
        • What Is the Function of Myelin in the Body?
    • Kids biking
      • 7 of the Best Baby and Child Bike Seats to Keep Your Child Safe – Reviews and Videos – 2020
      • 9 Simple Steps to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike
      • 5 Tips for Parents to Keep your Kids Safe on their Bikes
      • How to Transport Kids on Bikes (Video and Infographic)
      • 10 Family-Friendly USA Cycling Trails to Visit with the Kids
      • Babies and Bikes: How to Get Kids Active from the Start
      • How to Encourage Kids to Ride Bikes
        • How to Help your Kids Bike to School
A Blog for Average People who LOVE to ride bikes!

Average Joe Cyclist

A Blog for Average People who LOVE to ride bikes!

  • Cycling Training Plans
    • Our Most Successful Cycling Training Plans
      • Average Joe Cyclist’s Beginner Cyclist Training Plan: Phase 1
      • Average Joe Cyclist’s Beginner Cyclist Training Plan: Phase 2 – Interval Training
      • How to Get Bike Fit: Complete Bike Training Plan
      • Average Joe Cyclist’s Beginner’s Bike Training Plan
      • Top 7 Strength Building Exercises for Cyclists
    • Average Joe Cyclist’s Beginner’s Bike Training Plan
      • Top 10 Tips on How to Avoid a Sore Butt from Cycling
    • How to Get Bike Fit: Complete Bike Training Plan
    • Workouts and Stretching for Cyclists
      • How to Prevent Cycling Knee and Hip Pain – Complete Guide to Stretching for Cyclists
      • Updated Video: 3 Hip Stretches to Cure Cycling Hip Pain
      • Stop Doing Crunches! 10 Minute Core Workout for Cyclists
      • 5 Best Core Exercises for Cyclists
      • Muscle Stretching: The Cyclist’s Secret Skill – Why Stretching is Important for Cyclists
      • The 10 Best Stretches for Cyclists
    • How to Protect Your Testosterone Levels from Over-Training
    • 7 Reasons to do High Intensity Training (HIT) on Your Bike – And How to Add Interval Training to Your Cycling
      • Study Shows that Interval Training on a Bike is the Best Exercise to Fight Aging
      • Research shows Amazing Benefits of Sprint Intervals in Cycling
    • 7 Top Tips to Help You Keep Mountain Biking after Age 40
      • How Cycling Can Help You to Stay Strong as You Age
  • Indoor Cycling Training
    • 7 of the Best Budget Indoor Bike Trainers, 2021
    • 5 of the Best Smart Indoor Trainers for Effective Indoor Training
    • How to Set Up a Zwift Indoor Training System on Any Budget
    • What is a Smart Turbo Indoor Trainer?
  • Cycling with Dogs
    • 5 of the Best Dog Bike Baskets to Safely Take Your Dog Cycling in 2021
    • Complete Guide to Taking Your Dog on Bike Rides in a Bike Basket
    • 6 Steps to Gently Train Your Dog to Go On Bike Rides With You
  • Lose Weight!
    • Cycling and Weight Loss
      • 7 Steps to Lose Weight by Cycling
      • 7 of the Best Budget Indoor Bike Trainers, 2021
      • Top 10 Tips to Lose Weight Cycling
      • 5 Quick and Easy Tips to Lose Weight Cycling
      • The Top 10 Ride Your Way Lean Eating Rules, for Effective Weight Loss
      • How Cycling to Lose Weight Saved Phil’s Life – Heartwarming Video
    • A Guide for Fat Cyclists
    • Our Best Lose Weight with Cycling Posts
    • Cycling Nutrition
      • Best Matcha Tea for Cyclists: My Matcha Life
        • How to Make Matcha Tea
      • How Protein Helps your Post Bike Ride Recovery
      • 5 Best Protein Supplements for Exercise Recovery and Health
    • Cycling Training Plans
      • How to Set Up a Zwift Indoor Training System on Any Budget
      • Average Joe Cyclist’s Beginner’s Bike Training Plan
      • Our Most Successful Cycling Training Plans
      • How to Get Bike Fit: Complete Bike Training Plan
      • 7 Reasons to do High Intensity Training (HIT) on Your Bike – And How to Add Interval Training to Your Cycling
    • Cycling and Health
  • Tips & How-Tos
    • How to Prevent & Cure Cycling Knee Pain
      • How to Cure Cycling Knee Pain with a Miraculous, Cheap Cure
      • How to Prevent Cycling Knee and Hip Pain – Complete Guide to Stretching for Cyclists
      • Video: 3 Exercises for Cycling Knee Pain
      • 7 Ways to Prevent Cycling Knee Pain
      • 5 Doctor’s Tips to Start Cycling Again after Knee Replacement Surgery
    • Bike maintenance
      • How to Fix a Flat Bike Tire
    • How to Keep your Bike from being Stolen – Top 10 Tips
      • 7 of the Best Bike Locks to Keep Your Bike Safe, 2021
    • How to Set Up a Zwift Indoor Training System on Any Budget
    • How to Get Your Bike Ready for Safe Winter Cycling
    • How to Pick the Right Size Bike – Complete Bike Frame Size Guide
    • How to Set Up a Zwift Indoor Training System on Any Budget
    • Complete Guide to How to Buy and Sell Bikes on Craigslist
    • How to Understand Bike Terminology
  • Bike Commuting
    • Bike Commuting Tips
      • How to Set Up a Commuter Bike
      • 9 Useful Tips for Women Bike Commuters
      • 7 of the Best Bike Lights for Night Riding and Commuting, 2021
      • 7 of the Best Waterproof Bike Panniers, 2020 – for Better Bike Commuting and Touring
      • Top 10 Tips on How to Avoid a Sore Butt from Cycling
      • How Women Cyclists Can Prevent Saddle Soreness and Associated Issues
        • How to Choose the Right Bike Saddle
      • 9 of the Best Road Bike Saddles, 2021
      • The 7 Biggest Mistakes People Make When They Try to Start Bike Commuting
      • Can Cycling Cause Penis Numbness, Erectile Dysfunction, and Prostate Cancer?
      • Best Commuter/Bike Touring Panniers: Two Wheel Gear Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier Review
    • Winter Cycling
      • Our Top Tips to Keep You Warm and Dry for Fall and Winter Cycling
      • How to Get Your Bike Ready for Safe Winter Cycling
      • Quick Links to Our Best Posts about Cold Weather Cycling
      • 7 of the Best Waterproof Cycling Pants for Men and Women, 2021
      • 7 of the Best Waterproof Bike Panniers, 2020 – for Better Bike Commuting and Touring
    • Benefits of Being a Bike Commuter
      • Ten Reasons to be a Bike Commuter
      • Survey Shows London Bike Commuters are Happier and More Productive
      • What Is the Function of Myelin in the Body?
      • Research shows that cycling makes your brain grow!
      • 5 Ways that Cycling Boosts Your Brain Function
    • Bike Maintenance
      • How to Get Your Bike Ready for Safe Winter Cycling
      • How To Clean Your Bike Chain the Easy Way
      • How to Set Up a Commuter Bike
      • How to Fix a Flat Bike Tire
      • Inspirational Video: How to Fix a Bike Flat – with No Hands
    • Cycling Infrastructure
      • 4 Benefits of Separated Bike Lanes
      • 3 Reasons Why We Need Separated Bike Lanes
      • Research reveals a surprising benefit of separated bike lanes
      • Montreal Cycling, Part 3: Separated Bike Lanes – What Other Cities can Learn from Montreal
      • Cycling and the Post-Covid Transformation
    • Safety for Cyclists
      • How to Use Bike Reflectors to Be More Visible
      • 7 of the Best Bike Lights for Night Riding and Commuting, 2021
You are here: Home / Bike Commuting / Bike Safety / Cyclist Getting Doored in New York

Cyclist Getting Doored in New York

September 15, 2014 by Average Joe Cyclist

Pin
Share
Tweet

AvatarA common cause of injury to cyclists is getting doored – someone in a car in the path of an oncoming cyclist suddenly opens a door, creating one of those “unstoppable object meets an immovable object” moments. And in this case, the answer to the question, “What happens when an unstoppable object meets an immovable object?” is that the cyclist gets hurt. Sometimes, cyclists getting doored get killed.

This video is a fascinating portrayal of a cyclist getting doored in New York.

The cyclist was wearing a helmet cam and caught the entire incident on video. Here’s a still that shows the accident about to happen.

This is how cyclists get doored
This is how cyclists get doored

Luckily, he wasn’t hurt badly. The event took place in New York, and the video shows an interesting slice of New York life. Notice that while the slightly injured cyclist tries to crawl out of the bike lane so as not to impede other cyclists, every one else just stands around in the bike lane for ages, sending passing cyclists out into the traffic.

The traditional advice to avoid cyclists getting doored is to ride at least four feet from cars.

Cyclists getting doored in New York
The fairly narrow bike lane is right next to the car lane, so that cyclists cannot ride the recommended 4 feet away to avoid getting doored

In this video, you can see that the cyclist could not do this because the fairly narrow bike lane is right next to the car lane. At one point you hear the cyclist say that he gets ticketed if he doesn’t ride in the bike lane, but then he gets doored if he does.

Yet another no-win situation for cyclists. As long as cyclists remain at the bottom of the road-users totem pole, we will have to keep dealing with – and surviving – these no-win situations that cause cyclists getting doored.

The only way out would be to go and live in Amsterdam, where there are more bikes than citizens, and one can choose to cycle on a variety of routes that are reserved for bikes only – so that people can actually bike safely. And bike with their children – imagine that!

Cyclists getting doored in New YorkUnfortunately, it is pretty much impossible to immigrate to Holland (yes, I checked. My only way in would be to somehow manage to marry a Dutch woman, and I cannot imagine my wife would take kindly to that).

So in the meantime, for those of us trapped in the time and space  continuum that is early 21st -century-not-Amsterdam, all we can do to avoid getting doored is to try to keep at least four feet away from cars whenever humanly possible. Yet another reason why I am a huge fan of physically separated bikes lanes, such as the new lanes on Hornby and Dunsmuir in downtown Vancouver. And of course, if you can possibly get yourself a helmet cam, you will at least have evidence if somebody hurts you while cycling. Here’s my review of my GoPro Hero camcorder, which I keep permanently mounted on my handlebars.

The GoPro Hero Camcorder is a beautiful piece of awesome technology - GoPro Hero review
The GoPro Hero Camcorder is a beautiful piece of awesome technology

You might find these posts interesting – they both show very had behavior caught on helmet cam

Here’s my previous post about a man who was caught on helmet cam knocking a cyclist off his bike with his vehicle, then jumping out of his vehicle to attack the cyclist (who was down on the ground) – see Van Driver Knocks a Cyclist Over and Then Assaults Him – Watch the Viral Video.

White van driver attacks cyclist
White van driver caught by helmet cam

Here’s a post about a man in London, randomly picking on a young woman just because she is pushing a bike, and telling her that cyclists deserve to die!

James Nash - caught by helmet cams
James Nash – caught by helmet cams

Did you like this post or find it useful? If so, please support our blog:

By simply clicking on one of the Amazon links before buying from Amazon; or on one of the links for Jensen USA, Competitive Cyclist or REI. Small commissions help pay for our time. It costs you nothing at all except a click. Or, if you are planning a vacation, please book your hotel BY first clicking here for HotelTravel.com. Or SHARE this post (using the Share buttons) or LIKE our Facebook page. BEST OF ALL – just SUBSCRIBE to our blog (click on the link below, next to Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist’s smiling face). It makes you part of our community, gives you a free download of our Bike Buyer’s Guide, and gets you free weekly updates about our posts. Thanks in advance – reader support keeps us going and makes it all worthwhile!

Related

Pin
Share
Tweet

Filed Under: Bike Safety, Cycling Infrastructure Tagged With: Bike accidents, Doored, Helmet cams, New York biking

Comments

  1. Avatarmonique says

    September 27, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Ugh, I got doored 2 weeks ago. I was cycling along Homer just west of Davie where the marked bike lane runs ridiculously close to parked cars. A woman opened her door as I was passing and my arm impacted with her door as did my back side basket with my dog inside it. My arm immediately swelled up and I thought it was broken (thankfully no). My dog was yelping and I thought he was hurt (nope, but frightened).

    She stood there with her mouth hanging open just staring at me. She didn’t say a word. I asked her if she realized what had happened. I asked her if she had looked before opening her door. Nothing, she had nothing to say. I told her to be more aware of cyclists and to look before she opens her door particularly if she’s on a bike route. Again no response. She closed her door and went into Starbucks.

    I yelled at her that she couldn’t leave the scene of an automobile accident. No response. There were easily 15 witnesses sitting on the patio watching the whole thing and as I began to go into shock (shaking, crying, etc) not one person offered me assistance. Bunch of self-absorbed apathetic dolts.

    So my cycling confidence has been a bit shaky these last two weeks and when another person opened her door onto my path this morning I screamed bloody murder at her. I’m sorry lady that you got the brunt of my pent up trauma but you people really need to be more aware of your surroundings!

    Whew, long comment. Stay safe Joe and Mrs. Joe!! And stay in Vancouver because we need you here =)

    P.S. – I met your mom at a bus stop yesterday! What a small world.

    • AvatarAverage Joe Cyclist says

      September 28, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Monique. Nice to hear from you! My mom told me all about meeting you at a bus stop – small world indeed.
      I am sorry about your bike crashes – they sound awful. I find it amazing that no one came over to help you and your dog. And that the driver did not apologize.
      Anyway, keep cycling and be safe – both of you 🙂

  • Garmin Edge 1030 Plus vs 830 vs 530

Welcome to Average Joe Cyclist!

Average Joe CyclistWelcome to our blog! I’m Joe Goodwill, an average cyclist, and I write a blog for people like me. People who love cycling but will probably never win any races, and who don’t necessarily look good in Lycra! I also write the Electric Bikes Blog and Average Joe's RV Living Blog. To find our most popular posts, check out our Start Here page.

Mrs Average Joe Cyclist - MaggieHi! I'm Maggie Neilson (aka Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist). Joe and I have done a lot of cycling, and we share what we have learned on this blog . We also write reviews of cycling products and trails! Get to know us better HERE.

How our Product Links Work

  • You pay EXACTLY the same price, whether you use our links or go direct to the websites.
  • Earning some commission enables us to spend more time writing posts 🙂
  • THANK YOU to all the good people who have bought through our links. Your support is sincerely appreciated.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shop at Amazon in the USA.

Amazon USAShop at Amazon in Canada.

Amazon CanadaShop at Amazon in the UK.

Amazon UK

Search Average Joe Cyclist!

Trending – Our Top Posts Right Now!

  • Garmin Edge 530 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt
  • Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 GPS Bike Computers: Full Review and Comparison of GPS Bike Computers with Navigation
  • 7 of the best budget indoor trainers 7 of the Best Budget Indoor Bike Trainers, 2021
  • Cycling is a fantastic way to lose weight. And as a bonus: if you lose weight while maintaining your power, you will become faster on your bike 5 Quick and Easy Tips to Lose Weight Cycling
  • A Guide for Fat Cyclists. I am not exactly your stereotypical cyclist with the body of a greyhound. However, I don’t let my weight stop me from cycling. This was a 15-mile cross-country ride I did with my wife. We are pushing our bikes here because we were on loose gravel A Guide for Fat Cyclists
  • tips for success lose weight cycling Top 10 Tips to Lose Weight Cycling
  • If you keep asking your body to do more, it will grow stronger and fitter to adapt to your demands. How to Get Bike Fit: Complete Bike Training Plan
  • Can Cycling Cause Penis Numbness, Erectile Dysfunction, and Prostate Cancer? Can Cycling Cause Penis Numbness, Erectile Dysfunction, and Prostate Cancer? Can Cycling Cause Penis Numbness, Erectile Dysfunction, and Prostate Cancer?
  • We simply did not evolve to sit in front of a computer all day. No wonder exercise is such a mood lifter, when we actually get out and do it. 7 Steps to Lose Weight by Cycling
  • Garmin Edge 530 vs 830 vs 1030 Plus Bike Computers: In-Depth Comparison, Reviews and Videos

​

Special Offer for Average Joe Cyclist Readers – Get 10% off a New Totem Pole Bike Rack!

Transport up to 6 bikes with the revolutionary new Totem Pole Bike Rack! AND get a 10% discount off the price! Just use the discount code AVERAGEJOE

Click here to claim your discount!

9 of the best road bike saddles

How Women Cyclists can prevent saddle soreness and associated issues

World's first folding electric carbon bike

Copyright © 2021 · Average Joe Cyclist, please contact us for syndication rights.