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As e-bikes become more and more popular, the world has seen an increase in accidents due to something called “The Door Zone”, which can fatally injure bikers in a moment’s notice. Learn what you can do as a driver and as a cyclist to keep yourself and others safe.
What is the Door Zone?
When biking, people might come into close contact with parked cars. People in these cars may open their doors, and unbeknownst to them, have a biker come into fatal contact with it. These collisions can be incredibly dangerous. According to the amNY article E-bike Rider Fatally Slams into Car Door in Queens as Cops Say e-bike Collisions are Up City-wide, “the cyclist was thrown off the device and forcefully landed on the roadway, sustaining a head injury. […] he was [then] pronounced dead.” Dooring is dangerous and can be sometimes fatal.
Increase in Door Zone Incidents
Dooring and e-bike accidents in general don’t only affect adults- children are victims as well. According to PennState Health, “doctors have already treated more kids injured in e-scooter and e-bike accidents in 2025 than in the prior three years combined.” This article also states that most e-bike accidents happen when they’re “heading to and from school or riding after sunset, when drivers can’t see them as easily.”
Fatalities
The New York Times interviewed dooring survivor Peter Hahn in October of 2018. In the article The Dutch Reach: A No-Tech Way to Save Bicylist’s Lives, Peter Hahn was “launched onto the pavement” after “a door opened, and [his] swerve wasn’t enough to avoid the door”. He also claims that “If the car driver had opened – at first – a crack, instead of fully, I would have made it home that night.” E-bike injuries can range from:
What Can You Do As A Driver?
There are a few safety precautions you can take to make sure that you do not accidentally door an e-biker. The most recommended one is the “Dutch Reach”. Metropolitan Transportation Commission recommends that you:
This practice helps to prevent dooring accidents. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission states that “This action forces your body to swivel, and you will naturally have a better view of any oncoming cyclists or pedestrians that might get injured when you open the door.”
What Can E-Bike Riders Do to Protect Themselves?
If you are someone who frequently rides an e-bike or knows someone who does, here are a few safety precautions to take to avoid dooring, provided by PennState Health:
How We Can Help
If you or someone you know has been involved in a dooring/e-bike accident, contact the Schenk Law Firm today. We provide personalized legal representation, conduct thorough investigations, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation for injuries and losses. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay when we resolve your case.