‘Dutch Reach’ Could Make Road Cycling Safer

In Amsterdam, cycling isn’t something you just do on the weekends, it is an essential part of daily life, and it is the Dutch way of being ever-mindful of oncoming cyclists that could help those of us on road bikes in the UK have a safe commute.

The so-called ‘Dutch reach’ is being hailed as a way of preventing cyclists from being injured by the sudden opening of car doors in their path.

Leading British cycling charity Cycling UK said car users should be encouraged or trained to open their car doors with their far hands – the way they do it in the Netherlands – to reduce the incidences of bike users from being ‘car-doored’, which can cause serious injury.

Chief executive of the organisation Paul Tuohy said the charity would like to see awareness about the dangers of negligently opening a car door raised in the media, encouraging more people to think about an oncoming cyclist as they get out of their cars.

“Some people seem to see car-dooring as a bit of a joke, but it’s not and can have serious consequences,” he stated.

In the Netherlands, it is normal to open a car door using their far hand instead of their near hand, thereby forcing them to glance back into their blind spot, giving them the chance to act if a cyclist is coming towards them.

Cycling UK has been in touch with Jesse Norman, the minister for transport, to teach the ‘Dutch reach’ and to call on car used to check the path is clear of cyclists before opening their doors. He said the method “could be successfully encouraged in the UK” to make cycling even safer.

As well as promoting the ‘Dutch reach’ Cycling UK has warned cyclists in the UK to ride further into the carriageway and wants to see higher fines for thoughtless car-dooring

At present, the maximum fine for car-dooring is £1,000, even if the victim is killed.

In response to Cycling UK’s calls for these measures to be carried out to improve the safety of cyclists, the Department for Transport is reported to be considering the items the charity has brought to its attention.

This news follows the launch of the Space for Cyclists campaign, which has been debuted by the London Metropolitan Police.

The scheme will place specialist plainclothes officers on unmarked bikes donated by BMW armed with video cameras to check up on the behaviour of drivers in relation to how they treat their fellow road users on two wheels.

If a cyclist is tailgated, unsafely overtaken, or if a vehicle turns hazardously into the path of a bicycle user, a police motorcycle will be summoned to pull the driver over, give them a presentation on road safety, ask them to present their licence and insurance, and will give them a roadside eye test.

Cyclists can of course make their journey safer by having the proper equipment to enhance visibility to road users. Items such as bicycle lights, reflective vests and wearing a helmet with reflectors can all prevent accidents