Pivot opening to prevent bike entanglement
The pivot opening is a quick and easy maneuver that allows motorists to check their rearview mirror and blind spot while driving. opening his door with the opposite hand to minimize the risk of collision with a cyclist.
Unfortunately, the emportiere is more common than you might think. Opening your car door without first checking that the road is clear can cause damage, injury and even death. What's more, it's an illegal act punishable by law.
Pivot opening to prevent bike entanglement
The pivot opening is a quick and easy maneuver that allows motorists to check their rearview mirror and blind spot while driving. opening his door with the opposite hand to minimize the risk of collision with a cyclist.
Unfortunately, the emportiere is more common than you might think. Opening your car door without first checking that the road is clear can cause damage, injury and even death.
Definition
Wrapping
This is the action of hitting a person on a bicycle, or causing them to fall or collide with another vehicle, by carelessly opening a car door.
Definition
The pivot opening
A maneuver that consists in getting out of a motor vehicle by opening the door with the hand furthest away from it, which forces the person to pivot to the side, prompting him or her to look in the outside mirror and check the blind spot, in order to avoid a collision with a cyclist.
The scale of emportirage in Quebec
A phenomenon that goes unnoticed
Unfortunately, entanglement cases are under-represented and under-reported. Reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg, not to mention the many cases of emportirage that are narrowly avoided.
A heavy toll
Only the city of Montreal offers a balance sheet of entanglement incidents reported to the SPVM. Since 2013, there have been no fewer than 1,127 cases of entanglement. At present, the SPVM records an average of three collisions per week.
A daily hazard for cyclists
While serious and fatal cases are publicized, it's also important to take into account cases where entanglement does not cause a collision, i.e. when a person on a bicycle manages to avoid a door that suddenly opens in front of them. The aim is to avoid all cases of entanglement, regardless of their consequences.
The pivot opening: Using the right hand
Rotate
Simply open the door with the hand opposite the door (opening the left door with the right hand, and the right door with the left).
This maneuver, which complements the observation of the rear-view mirrors, intuitively ensures that the blind spot is systematically analyzed and automatically offers a better field of vision for detecting whether a person on a bicycle is heading towards the vehicle.
The Dutch door
Originating in the Netherlands, a country with a proven reputation for bicycle safety, this gesture, also known as the «Dutch door», is systematically taught to future drivers.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Best practices for cyclists
Vélo Québec recommends that cyclists leave a minimum distance of one metre (1 m) between them and vehicles parked at the curb. Although the Highway Safety Code (HSC) requires cyclists to keep as far to the right of the road as possible, it also specifies that they may take into account the risk of entanglement. In other words, the CSR allows cyclists to position themselves in such a way as to avoid the risk of being swept away.
When riding near parked vehicles, cyclists can throw away quick glances in the mirrors to identify whether a motorist is in the vehicle. In case of doubt, don't hesitate to slow down to assess the situation, especially in heavy traffic and in the event of a collision./or cars travelling at high speed - a spill in these circumstances can be fatal.
Finally, it's important to make sure you're always clearly visible when driving on shared roads. As soon as night falls, remember that active lighting (white headlight at the front and red light at the rear) is compulsory and essential if you want to be seen by other road users.
Security
Keep a minimum distance of one metre between you and parked vehicles
Keep an eye on parked vehicles to anticipate door openings
Equip your bike with lights to be visible in rear-view mirrors
Laws and remedies
Call 911
In the event of an accident, no matter how serious, there are laws, recourses and steps you can take to assert your right to compensation as a road accident victim. If you are in a position to do so, call 911 to have an accident report drawn up by a police officer.
Amicable report
You can also draw up a joint accident report with the driver of the vehicle. In all cases, be sure to collect the driver's information (full name, driver's license number, telephone number, license plate, etc.). It's also important to note the names and contact details of any witnesses.
Medical follow-up
If you have minor injuries, it is still strongly recommended that you undergo a medical examination within 24 hours of the accident - it may happen that discomfort or pain, not apparent at the time of the accident, occurs later.
Compensation
You have three (3) years to file a claim with the SAAQ following the loss of control, bodily injury caused by the loss of control or death.
Fine
The Highway Code also contains an article on impersonation. This article 430 provides that « No person may open the door of a road vehicle unless the vehicle is immobilized and without having ensured that he can carry out this maneuver without danger». Article 510 provides that anyone contravening article 430 is liable to a fine of 200 $ to 300 $.
Insurance
If you suffer property damage as a result of an accident, such as damage to your bike, personal belongings or business, you can file a claim with the insurance company of the motorist involved.
To find out more about the remedies available to you in the event of a bicycle accident, click here. here.
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