Comments on: New Cycling Safety Signs a Possibility in Seattle

By: Davey Oil

Davey Oil — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:43:52 +0000

I for one hope these signs do catch on. Dooring is a serious problem, cyclists are often hurt by getting doored or by swerving into traffic to avoid getting doored. I agree with some of the above commenters that signs are not the only or best solution but as the post implies, the struggle to reduce doorings is a struggle for awareness more than anything else. I couldn’t disagree more with bikesgonewild’s comment above. I do not see dooring as all that similar to motorist agression. I have cycled as my only transportation for amost 20 years and been doored with contact four times. I have been almost doored (doored, no contact) more times than I can bear to admit. Probably at least twice a month for 20 years? Sure, sometimes doorers are hostile and entitled, but they are more often just confused. I think any attempts to educate these clueless and dangerous road users should be encouraged. Maybe someone (SDOT, Cascade Bike Club, Bike Alliance) could start a billboard and busboard campaign like the “Give three feet” campaign? I am just thinking on screen here…
Signs, at parking sign height to remind drivers and passengers to look before they openm their door? Great idea, says me!

By: xSmurf

xSmurf — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 06:17:44 +0000

I agree that signs might not be the real solution. Why isn’t it part of the driving lessons/tests? That’d make it clear. Anyhow, it came close so many times yet one keeps popping in my mind. I was riding on a smoothly paved long downhill slope. Nice road to ride, many cars, but there’s a bike lane (painted, one way) on the right. I was tailing another ride and we were riding at around 20mph when we were forced to deviate by a police car half way parked in double. Right as we were passing the car, the officer opened her door. it came *real* close! I sure hope this cop now knows better!

By: Matt S.

Matt S. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:56:17 +0000

Since reading this article, I’ve been intrigued by the idea of having less traffic signs. I’m not sure a completely sign-free city would work in the US, but I think less is better.

I have a hard time believing that all the “Slippery when wet” and “Deer Crossing” signs prevent accidents. What really annoys me are the “Stop Sign Ahead” and “Reduced Speed Ahead” signs. All this visual noise distracts you from what’s actually happening on the road.

I would prefer the drivers keep their eyes on the road and look out for cyclists, not be distracted by signs of stick figures on bikes.

By: JiMCi

JiMCi — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:39:22 +0000

No need for signs. Change the old hinged door concept to this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAtkoje4-eM !

By: bikesgonewild

bikesgonewild — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:45:53 +0000

…hah !…most people just push the door open, climb out & look at you, the cyclist, like “why are you riding near my car”…these are same ones that honk at you as they pass if you’re riding far enough over to not get doored…& thats just before they cut you off as they pull into that available parking space they’ve finally spotted…you know, the one you’re not gonna take from them cuz you are on your bike…
…a wonderful cyclic dichotomy…the pedaling mandala…

By: Tim Grahl

Tim Grahl — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:48:53 +0000

Although I agree that street signs aren’t going to solve the problem… I do like the fact that Seattle is aware of a cycling related problem and taking at least some small steps to fix it. This is where I think some locals can get involved and guide the city to better solutions to a problem.

But either way, the hardest part is done… the city sees a problem and wants to help. That’s huge in and of itself.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:53:13 +0000

City bus drivers like to tell dooring stories. Those definitely end up with “hella screwed up door.”

If motorists don’t watch out for huge city buses, they’re not going to watch for cyclists. Stay outside the door zone.

By: danielo

danielo — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:02:44 +0000

I’m of the opinion that most cities are already a sea of signs, and that one more is unlikely to make any difference. Frankly, I think a driver who WASN’T conditioned to ignore signage would be a hazard, because there is no way a person could keep up with all the instructions and still watch the road. The only way to prevent dooring is to ride well out of the door range. I’ve commuted exclusively by bike for nearly 2 years, and have never been doored — because I just take the lane when I need.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:53:54 +0000

I have never been doored, but I know its a matter of time.

the one thing I don’t get, or that you never hear about is the cars getting messed up.
From my auto mechanic training, I know that a cyclist can get Really hurt, but then you have to factor in the velocity of the cyclist and flimsy construction of some doors resulting in one hella screwed up door.