Chicago advocacy group say untracked "dooring" accidents are most common
Illinois recently toughened up traffic laws to create a safey buffer for bicycle riders who share streets with cars. However, officials in the transportation department are rejecting the pleas from cycling advocates to keep track of the most common vehicle-bike accident, when a cyclist gets hit by a door that is flung open in the path of a cyclist, also known as "dooring."
Even though this type of accident can cause serious injuries, the IDOT doesn't consider it a moving accident.
Kim Nishimoto, who lost her soon in a "dooring" accident, considers IDOT's decision a mistake and a disgrace. On June 9, 2008. her son. Clinton Miceli, was biking on North LaSalle Street in Chicago, when a driver of an SUV opened their door in Miceli's path. He swerved to avoid hitting the door and fell off his bike into traffic. According to police he was run over by a passing vehicle.
"I had a son who had just graduated from the University of Illinois and was a brilliant graphic artist, and his death doesn't count for anything, according to the state of Illinois," Nishimoto said. "That's just not appropriate. It's an insult."
A Chicago group called the Active Transportation Alliance which concentrates on making streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, will begin a campaign to make the public aware about dooring accidents. They consider this type of accident to be the most preventable for city cyclists.
In a recent survey of its members, more than 50% revealed that they had been in a "dooring" accident as least once according to Ethan Spotts, spokesperson for the Alliance.
However with solid statistics, it is difficult to prove that dooring is a problem and or apply for federal and state funds to help their awarenes campaign.
Over 75 dooring accidents were reported to Chicago police in 2010 and just over 60 in 2009.
But their are no state-wide totals available according to IDOT officials.
