Chicago Passes Anti-Dooring Law

[John the Monkey]

Recently Chicago passed a new Bicycle Safety Ordinance which (among other things) imposes a $500 fine on motorists who open their doors into cyclists. We encourage you to look into the law in your area, and contact your local elected representatives to encourage the passage of similar laws in your area if they are not in place already.

On Bikehacks here
Campaign Site: Anti-Dooring.org

 

[LLB]

Don't we have existing legislation to cover this type of thing in the UK (undue care and attention ?)

 

[domtyler]

$500 fine? For potentially killing or seriously injuring someone?

 

[LLB]

$500 fine? For potentially killing or seriously injuring someone?

Life is cheap, it doesn't help that the exchange rate is so low

 

[simoncc]

This is a useful law. It criminalises door opening on cyclists. The fine level is not that relevant as once a crime has been established it should be easier to get civil compensation, instead of all the usual arguing about how much the cyclist was to blame for being hit by the door.

 

[marinyork]

Already law here isn't it? Although there were comments about rewording it in the highway code to make it more helpful and explicit it is already there

239

...you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic

More clarity and thought about penalties is not a bad thing though.

 

[Keith Oates]

Many laws are in place to cover this type of thing, but enforcing them or getting convictions is another thing altogether!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!