That’s why the family of Sam Boulton – and Cycling UK – have been raising the profile of the Dutch Reach and calling for its inclusion in the Highway Code for years – and we’re delighted that this campaigning has led to its inclusion in the proposals for a revised Highway Code, currently open for consultation, as an update to Rule 239. The idea is that this technique can quickly become a habit, meaning that even if someone’s in a rush getting out the back of a cab, or distracted by a conversation, they don’t have to actively remember to check for cyclists: if they’re in the habit of using the Dutch Reach, they’ll do so automatically. By using the opposite hand, you’re also less likely to swing the door open widely, further reducing the risk. In doing so, you automatically turn your body, helping you spot approaching cyclists. That’s where the Dutch Reach and the ongoing Highway Code review come in.įor those who aren’t familiar, the Dutch Reach is a simple technique which involves using the hand furthest from the car door to open it – the left hand if you’re the driver. It’s virtually never malicious, but that makes it no less dangerous, and during National Road Victim Month, it’s vital that we do all we can to tackle this pervasive issue.

Like most people who cycle regularly, I’ve had my fair share of near-misses too – some of which could easily have resulted in a serious collision if I hadn’t been cycling well out from parked cars.Ĭar dooring is one of those problems which really shouldn’t exist – a quick check before exiting a vehicle will easily eliminate any risk to passing cyclists or motorcyclists – and yet time and again we see drivers and passengers swinging their doors open carelessly, and putting lives at risk. Thankfully, such fatalities are relatively rare, but car-dooring nonetheless poses an all too common risk to cyclists, with hundreds of collisions recorded each year, many more undoubtedly never reaching the statistics, given these are only recorded where a police officer attended the scene. He died the same day – on his 26th birthday.

Just over four years ago, Sam Boulton was cycling in Leicester when a car door was opened into his path, knocking him off his bike and into the path of a passing van. Help get the Dutch Reach in the Highway Code

Join our Pumped Up Crew of micro volunteers!.

Safe roads, traffic offences and the law.

What to do if you have a cycling crash?.

Getting sponsorship to cycle for Cycling UK.

Dutch highway code pdf