Planners, engineers, and cyclists are continuing to find the perfect solution so that cyclists and motorists can live in peace and harmony. In the meantime, we are stuck trying to make it work in an imperfect world.
Motorist awareness is increasing, but the reality is that even with the addition of bike lanes, there are gravely inherit dangers involved in mixing motorized and non-motorized transportation. Most motorists are simply not used to thinking about sharing the road with cyclists.
Examples of this chaos are everywhere. Recently, former Detroit Lion quarterback Joey Harrington was involved in a bike / SUV collision while riding in Portland, Oregon. On September 20, 2010, green party candidate US Senate candidate Natasha Pettigrew of Maryland was killed when she was hit by a car while riding her bike.
Three days ago, Redditor Phlipmode reminded us what happens when as drivers, we fail to take into account what is coming up from behind us before we open our doors and ascend into the world. After being struck by a motorist’s door while riding in the bike lane, here is how his bicep looked before and after his 24 hour emergency room visit.
Phlipmode’s bicep after being struck by a car door.
Phlipmode’s bicep after being struck by a car door and geting stitched up at the Hospital.
Please remember to look before you open!