As a Dutch citizen with a driver licence I got ~2 years ago: Never heard of this. I was learned to look into other mirror before opening the door, that's it.
During my driving lessons back in 2010 in the Netherlands my instructor explained this move this way although there wasn't any specific name for it like the Dutch reach
The term is not known in the Netherlands, but the technique is definitely used by a lot of people at a young age. I grew up with it. Passenger seats don't have personal rear mirrors ;).
I also have installed a pleiad of different mirrors to extend rear view to every possible direction to avoid killing "myself" as I also drive bicycles and motorbikes.
I'm Dutch. Never heard of this and never learned it during driving lessons as I can recall. What we did learn is to always check your rear and side mirror BEFORE opening the door. Never had a cyclist banging into my car. Having said that; It is always good to take cyclists into account. That is something we ARE used to here in the Netherlands ;-) They are basically everywhere.
May I ask, in what year did you get your driving licence? I am Dutch as well, I got my driving licence in 2009. My driving instructor and examiners were very strict regarding this rule. In my time, If you didn't do this during your driving exam, you immediately failed the exam. I checked if this is till applied today, according to the Rijprocedure B 2020: ''Uitstappen. Voor het uitstappen wordt in de binnenspiegel, in de linkerbuiten-spiegel en over de linkerschouder gekeken.Wanneer het voertuig op een parkeerplaats geparkeerd wordt naast een ander voertuig, dan met extra voorzichtigheid het portier openen.''
Agree. Opening the door before watching can have the same effect as cyclists dont know if you have seen them. If I see a door opening just a few cm's I start braking. Mirrors and look over your shoulder. Be aware before that door opens!
I think it's not about with which hand you open the door (the means), it's about that you check what's closely behind and besides you before you open the door (the aim). If you have your mirrors set correctly (meaning: being able to see what's besides the car, rather than what's behind the car - you have the central mirror for that purpose -) it doesn't mind if you open the door with your left or right hand. It's about being aware of possible cyclists nearing and possibly banging to the door you just openend.
@@Bowwow30 Opening with your left hand physically prevents you from looking over your shoulder properly. It is dangerous to rely too much on your mirrors as every mirror in your car has a few blind spots, regardless on how well you set them up. We learned to check the center mirror, then your door mirror, then open the door with your right hand while looking over your shoulder properly. This is the only way to negate all blind spots. We also look over our shoulder often while driving when going on or off the highway in the Netherlands, the final (looking over the shoulder) check helps getting a full overview on the new traffic situation. From my humble experience, it has served me well a few times where both my mirrors didn't show a car joining my lane, but the looking over the shoulder trick did.
@@NLTemp89 I got my drivers license just 2 months ago and I’ve never heard anything about the Dutch reach. We had to be careful and be aware of the surroundings when exitting the vehicle, but no more than that. (I’m Dutch too)
As a Dutch person I can say this is one of the first things my instructor taught me when I was getting my license. Everyone uses their (for us) left hand but we do look out to see if the road is free.
Interestingly, I🇳🇱wasn't taught this even though I was taught "Het nieuwe rijden". I prefer opening the door with my left hand, but do always check the mirror.
Me neither, I just use the hand that is closest, but indeed we are thaught to WATCH first (yes, you should scream that). Also teach my children that: always look first! Not just because of bikes though, I don't want a car to hit the door either! 😅
This is a very important message! I have worked in a hospital near Amsterdam. I once cared for a woman who cycled into an opening car door. She had many bruises and fractures (multiple ribs and sternum). Breathing was hard for her, she was in a lot of pain. There was no quick and easy therapy for her. Healing proces was long and tough and she will have to live with the scars and misshapen bones. I felt so sorry for her. People should be more careful before opening a car door. Accidents like this can be easily prevented.
Riders should be far more careful in traffic when seeing a car that just parked ahead of them. Defensive Riding (just like defensive driving) is essential to staying safe for all. Blaming the car driver for a riders' inattention and injury is not a solution.
@@JohnW118 I assume you're not Dutch. Here in the Netherlands it's an obligation to first look carefully to see if there are bikers coming before opening your car door. This is one of the first things you learn when taking driving lessons. Off course it is advisable for bikers to drive defensively, because it's possible that a car driver forgets to watch out before opening the door. But defensive driving isn't always possible because many streets especially in old city centers are really narrow, so it is inevitable that cyclists have to ride close to cars. A car driver is responsible, not the biker. I think this has to do with the way our cities are build and with the philosophy that we have to protect bikers and encourage people to ride a bike instead of a car.
@@hisgen01 Sure totally, and here in the USA also, HOWEVER, drivers are rarely careful here we have a lot of a-holes, unfortunately, and driver training is nonexistent. In ANY case, the bike riders should also be careful, and no one should rely on their intimate safety wholly on other people. That's simply foolish and a recipe for eventual disaster. I ALWAYS check for bicycles, and motorcycles too, and remain vigilant of what is surrounding my car. As a motorcycle rider starting over 50 years ago at 17 I learned early on to NEVER trust someone else to look out for my own safety in traffic. Motorcyclists are taught to ride as if they are INVISIBLE and bicyclists should do also. It's much worse for bicyclists and therefore even more important. And I don't need an awkward 'reach' to do it, as a 70 year old man I may not even be ABLE to do this strained reach as you might. I can better check with my own eyes and mirrors, both. Get real personal safety sense and never rely on others...my 'being Dutch' has nothing to do with safety sense on the roads. ...oh, and stop assuming about other people.
Another interesting aspect around cycling in the Netherlands is the legal protection in the Netherlands for bicyclists. In an accident, if the cyclist is 14 or under, then the automobilist is automatically legally liable that is they (or more accurately their insurer) will automatically have to pay damage/injury costs to the cyclist even if the cyclist is fully at fault. For cyclists older than 14 then the automobilist (or more accurately their insurer) will have to pay at least 50% but usually the full amount is paid unless there is real gross negligence on the part of the cyclist (for example, the cyclist was extremely drunk). The reasoning around this is that cyclists are more vulnerable.
Another big difference (which hopefully changes in the future) is that Dutch drivers are also frequent cyclists, so they can see from the point of view of a cyclist.
You are absolutely right and that is why the cyclists are not looking out for it again, they simultaneously think that they have eternal life. When they slowly run into a lamppost they know right away that this is not the case.
1. Cyclist has accident. 2. Look around for nearest motorist to blame. However I endorse the Dutch the policy of driver's insurance having to pay out, particularly for young cyclists, as I can't think of a better solution, given that trying to make insurance mandatory for cyclists is a non-starter, and the current policy makes it less necessary to try and figure out and apportion blame.
I always thought it was common sense. Crazy how growing up in Holland makes you aware automatically. When I saw this video I was like “isn’t this common sense?” Did the same thing in the US when stepping out. Not for bikes, but cars.
My experience of opening car doors in the US is obviously different from yours. Mostly that occurred in parking lots, where people would just fling doors open, not caring if they hit another vehicle alongside. (Too rich. Too irresponsible. Too much narcissism. Etc.) Also US car doors back then (don't know about now) were designed to spring outward when you opened them, a stark contrast to driving European cars in the USA. The way to close an American car door was to give it a good slam to overcome the spring that pushes it outward. Americans would do that unnecessarily to European cars, which would close with a much gentler push. Also there was an American habit of pressing the door button while slamming it, which was supposed to lock the door. (Great way of getting locked out with keys inside.) On European cars, this sometimes broke the lock mechanism. Conclusion: Different culture. Different default behaviours. Different views of reality. It is hard to be protective of cyclists if your door springs out, but then I don't ever recall seeing a cyclist coming from behind, they tended to ride contraflow for their own safety. In Cambridge UK we get lots of foreign tourists in the summer and of course plenty of foreign students. Lots of bikes are hired in the summer. It is not uncommon to see cyclists riding contraflow. Scary as sh*t seeing it happen on a major roundabout. I guess Darwinian selection helps keep it down.
Not sure about using the other arm in the NL, but its clear that they taught us to always check for bikes. Roundabouts are notorious for blind spotting.
I'm a keen cyclist and nearly hit a cyclist with my door yesterday. I am still upset to think it happened so easily... I shall be ultra mindful now and use the Dutch reach.
I am Dutch and i litteraly never open the door this way. But i do watch for cyclists, so look in mirror and over my shoulder before opening the door.... i think we are much more accustomed to cyclistst in the Netherlands in general.
I am not Dutch but I do live in The NL. And I can tell you, bikes are everywhere and many times a bike lane is just next to the parking spot.. in 10 minutes (possibly without killing anyone in that time) you learn that you are surrounded by bike and will do all to avoid to hit one (or one hitting your fancy car). Said that, the so called "Dutch Reach" is for sure a clever habit, but the "context" help much more. I personally look at mirrors or turn the head back (which automatically makes my further hand going opening the door). Go biking more! And next time you'll remember bikes exist :-)
I'm Dutch and I never open my car door with the hand the farthest away. I was never taught to do so. That being said I always check when opening any car door because bikes are everywhere here.
As a dutchman I agree of course with this charming british lady. In cycling safety it aint much if it aint dutch. 🙂Greetings from the Netherlands to all british friends. 🇱🇺❤️🇬🇧
Om maar even te negeren dat alleen wielrenners helmen dragen. "In cycling safety ain't much if it ain't dutch" de infrastructuur is misschien veilig bij ons maar als er nou 1 soort geweggebruiker is die schijt heeft aan alles op de weg zijn het fietsers wel hahaha
Exactly, I can see a lot more in the mirror than looking out of the window where my rear view is obstructed by pillars. But she is driving an open top car which doesn't have door pillars. Should have chosen a normal car or put the hood up.
Was riding in a bus when a lady parked on the side of the road flung out her door, next second we were driving along with her door stuck to the front of the bus. One way to teach the importance of the Dutch Reach.
I've been doing this for the last few years since a novelty song was played on the radio and it got stuck in my head. Whenever I open the door. Fortunate, because the other day a scooter came out of nowhere and I saw it just as it was passing me I was opening the door. Do it.
Yes this is a good idea. But it is only half the story, as it does not properly consider effects of wind gusts: Opening a door on a windy day is always dangerous. Gusts of wind can be very powerful. (And can also affect cyclists, of course.) One way to reduce the force produced by wind might be to put the window fully down before opening the door so that wind has a lower surface area to operate on. It also provides more positions in which you can grab the door. Door handles tend to be near the front of the door, thus giving wind more leverage than if the door is being held near its rear. So here is a possible overall improvement: 1. Wind window fully down. (Enables you to actually look out, ie be less dependent on mirrors, and also hear environmental sounds more easily.) 2. Operate door release with left hand (typically near front of door, affording inadequate leverage to restrain door movement). 3. At same time, hold door towards its rear (easy to do with the window down), for maximum leverage against any wind gusts. Let's give this a name: The British Reach. Note: There is a problem with modern cars, which is that powered windows cease to operate when engine is turned off, and may not even operate in accessory position. This is an issue which needs to be addressed by manufacturers as it is not conducive to safety. It would make sense if electric windows can be operated until the car is actually locked.
In the Netherlands chexking mirrors is drilled in driving lessons. If in a drivers licence you did everything perfect, but you get out without checking mirrors you failed the drivers examination and you heve to pay and do a ne exam after 6 months.
Jeez people, this is just a technique to encourage safe practises. Yeah, if you're superb at checking your mirrors, then maybe this is irrelevant to you. But I know that it's something I forget to do on occasion. A lot of driving is common sense. The highway code contains laws and attempts to offer ways to get people to be safer on the roads and save lives. Now, it seems like we live in a "who's to blame" culture. I see it all the time on these dashcam videos. If people were just a little more safety aware, so many accidents can be avoided.
Also never heard of this. Look in the side mirror and over your shoulder. And when traffic: bike, car, whatever is coming, i tell my kid, NOT to open his door. NIET de deur open doen. Works great. Yes, i am Dutch.
Funny, I’ve never heard of the Dutch reach as a Dutchy 🤣 And I still open it with the hand closest to the door, maybe the only difference, I look in the mirror and on my side first, but apparently that’s not common in the UK?!
Also when you step out you also look behind you in the traditional way. This is just unnecessary faff for no added security. It won't stop morons throwing their door open full force like the girl did in the first clip.
Exactly this happened to me during a cycling holIday in the UK IN 1994. When you are going downhill, as a cyclist, and suddenly a car door opens, there is NO time to react at all.
Something to bear in mind is that not everyone who opens a car door is a driver. If you give someone a lift, you can be caught by surprise. I gave 3 foreigners a lift in Cambridge. In the middle of a 3-lane one-way section, when the traffic-flow momentarily paused, they decided they were close enough to their destination, opened 3 doors simultaneously, and stepped out into the traffic. I was utterly shocked, taken by surprise, still had the car in gear with clutch down. Had I understood their cultural differences, I would have been able to warn them. There are cultures where such behaviour is normal, such as India, parts of Asia, etc.
That’s a very brave stunt rider you’ve got there. The sharp metal and glass on car doors goes through flesh and bone just like a butcher’s meat cleaver. Another benefit of the Dutch reach is that it’s a great stretching exercise 😊
Can we not just open the door normally, but be aware of our surroundings and just open the door halfway. Car doors slot into place in two open positions anyways. Just use your mirrors, check blind spot, open far door normally and up to halfway.
Yes, dutchies are taught to be aware of cyclists when stepping out. But mainly because there are so many cyclists. And also we do cycle ourselves a lot, so we are aware of the risk. And when you do forget to check, you're in for the consequences. Not the least being the verbal abuse including all the dreadfull illnesses the cyclists will wish for you, and your family till the end of times.
Taxi drivers can spread the word too - every time a passenger is getting out, they could say "Dutch Reach please". As Uber sponsors this video, get Uber to promote with their drivers?
Seen this idea a few times, but all cars I drive/ride in have the release quite far forward, so I need to lean forward if using opposite arm. I certainly am not looking behind whilst doing so. However I try and always check for bikes, cars, pedestrians etc before opening door anyway, because that is the sensible thing to do.
Thanks this is an excellent video on this issue. Goes hand in hand with maintaining at least a metre distance from parked cars, although this may not always be possible...
Noone does this in the Netherlands. It is not up to the cyclist to keep a safe distance from /parked/ vehicles. In the Dutch road code, anything a parked (or parking) vehicle does is a "special movement" meaning everyone else has priority over them. This includes opening doors.
Use your mirror and look over your shoulder has been my lesson 20 years ago.. Never used my right hand to open the door on the driver side. Never had a cyclist inside my door opening saying hellooo....
no, in NL you use your left hand to open the door, but because in the UK they used to use the right hand it's called the "ducth reach" in our country we would call this the "English Reach"
I check the wing mirror first, that works better. it is more important for passengers on the backseats. they don't have mirrors. and what about children on the back seats? maybe better to always activate the child lock
When I moved to NL from Russia, I've taken a couple of driving lessons and had to pass the test for my Ditch driving lesson. I do confirm this rule and id you don't follow it, you will not get your driving license.
If only cars had reflective panels that would allow us to look behind the car to see other traffic users, so that one could leave their car safely without twisting their neck/torso over 90 degrees.
I'm not a driver, but I always do this, but I didn't know there was a name for that. By the way, I'm curious about how the accident sumulation was made
In getting your drivers licence this issue is a killer: doing everything else 100% but forget to look in the mirror and over your shoulder: no drivers licence! Even on a parking lot
You’ll do know that cars nowadays have F mirrors that you can (and should) use. You don’t have to pay extra for those. As Dutch person never heard that expression “Dutch reach”.
As a cyclist, you should be aware of your surroundings. (1.30 is a false asumprio) If you see a car pull In a parking space, you can bet het will get out. Perhaps not seeing you. Also keep your distance from parking cars as you drive by.
I was born in the Netherlands and I live in the Netherlands and I have my Dutch driving license since 1997. But I've never heard of the Dutch reach. That must be a mnemonic for people who can't think logically. Because in the end it's nothing but logic to look in the side mirror and through the window before you open the door. And by the way, often if all three mirrors are correctly adjusted, you don't have to look back nine times out of ten. And especially if you have side mirrors with extra compartments in the mirrors against blind corners. I'm not going to say I'm the best driver in the world. But taking part in traffic is just simplel. 99% watching 1% handeling. 1% handeling depends on how far ahead you want and can look. Teach yourself to learn to assess situations as well as possible. Mainly by looking around you carefully and continuing to look around you. And then act accordingly. Trust yourself and not others in traffic. Just because you have priority doesn't always mean you always get it. Keeping enough distance and turning on your flashing light on time and holding it on long enough sometimes also help.
I cant wait not to use the ahead of my mirrors and my eyes. Would love the old bill to prove I didn't look first or that it wasn't the cyclists fault as they were going too fast.
£1000 fine to save 60 lives a year. Why not punishing people who party during lockdowns or don't wear masks? That could save thousands of lives a year. Here in Holland we don't even know what the 'Dutch reach' is. Never used it, but we always do look out for bikers before opening our doors. It's part of the training for s driver's licence.
While I agree 100% with her message, she states that "each year over 60 people are killed or injured..." but then goes on to say that hundreds of injuries could be prevented by using the Dutch Reach. One, or both, of those numbers is distorted.
how's that work for bad back and disability's ?? maybe when over taking a stationary vehicle the rider should do as the driver is expected and give plenty of space between them and the vehicle as do car and motorcycle drivers/riders. or are we to assume all bike riders ride unsafely on he road and compulsive training be brought in for these also ??
''or are we to assume all bike riders ride unsafely on he road'' i dont have a car or a license, but when i ride my bike i always assume every other person on the road is a fucking moron with severe brain damage who doesnt know left from right, and thats a generally healthy attitude to have towards other people in traffic. also, keep in mind that a stationary car doesnt mean people are in it most of the time, and there are times when you dont see the car just stopped and people are going to exit the car. and giving plenty of space can also be tricky because bike lanes arent generally wide enough that you can avoid an open car door. so yeah, assuming not only bikers but every single person on the road is a braindead idiot who doesnt know the word safe helps prevent alot of unnecessary accidents. =)
@@RanRayu if you have to use words like the F word in your replies that speaks for its self. Yes bike riders are all unsafe of the road with no training no matter how well you think they ride. All road users are instructed to open doors and check for oncoming road users (yes you have blind spots) as well as Always overtaking parked vehicles with enough room that if a door is opened it won't and can't be hit. ONLY cyclists are the acception to the rule, they are riding against the side of a vehicle and allowed on the road with zero proof to show a level of competence in thier understanding of the hi way code and how to use a road or understand other traffic. Push bike users need road education, making those already trained to use the road accountable for those who haven't a clue is not the way to fix the issue. I can check my doors the way I was trained, I won't be doing the new method as a back injury at work prevents me from twisting they way they now ask us too. Maybe if cyclists had training like every other road user we wouldn't have so many accidents. After all we used to train bike riders in the 80s at the age of 10......why did it stop.
Because of a bad back, others need to do all kinds of stuff? There is not much space on the road to allow to compensate for people who cant do a dutch reach or look out extra carefully because they have a bad physique. World upside down.
@@Gabor123 yeah a bad back from an accident I had 3 years ago but that's my experience there are loads others worse off who need more space, my issue is the only ones on the road with ZERO training are push bike riders with no clue if they are doing things wrong or right at all yet the trained users are treated as if the accidents are our problem. its a laughable joke especially allowing bikes to ride up the inside of a lorry and the lorry has to give way when turning....way to go blind spots and un trained bike riders lol
Or make sure that cars and cyclists are mostly separated on busy roads, by adding a proper bike lane (no, not a painted lane), or even adding a completely separate bike route. Bikers being forced into opposing traffic because someone opens a door is a problem of infrastructure, not of people getting out of their car.
Use your mirrors damn... that system is stupid when you are parked between cars, you don't see cyclists coming... I am a car driver, i always check with my mirrors it's working very good
Seems pretty pointless, You need to teach people to always look in the mirrors and over your shoulder when opening a door not what hand to use. I always use my left hand to open a car door doesn’t matter what side i’m sitting on, but i always look if there’s something coming
Dutch cyclist mis one important thing on there bikes; Breaks !! They me have them, but never us on. Red light ? Is for cars, not bikes !! Ever been in Amsterdam?🤯 And you still live ? WAAAUUW !!
Can you help us #TeachTheReach? Let us know who you teach, and how you do it in the comments ⬇
"Look at the fucking mirror before you open the door". Literal words of my Dutch driving instructor haha
Oh, he did not talk Dutch to you?
@@chris1978nl no, he spoke Chinese. Good insight 👏
@@chris1978nl geen
always not only because of cyclist but also because you can lose your life or doors.
How is the back seat passenger supposed to see the driver side mirror from the back seat?
As a Dutch citizen with a driver licence I got ~2 years ago: Never heard of this. I was learned to look into other mirror before opening the door, that's it.
Exactly. Nobody I know heard of it. My daughter with just e driving license never heard of it.
same
During my driving lessons back in 2010 in the Netherlands my instructor explained this move this way although there wasn't any specific name for it like the Dutch reach
The term is not known in the Netherlands, but the technique is definitely used by a lot of people at a young age. I grew up with it. Passenger seats don't have personal rear mirrors ;).
I also have installed a pleiad of different mirrors to extend rear view to every possible direction to avoid killing "myself" as I also drive bicycles and motorbikes.
I'm Dutch. Never heard of this and never learned it during driving lessons as I can recall. What we did learn is to always check your rear and side mirror BEFORE opening the door. Never had a cyclist banging into my car.
Having said that; It is always good to take cyclists into account. That is something we ARE used to here in the Netherlands ;-) They are basically everywhere.
May I ask, in what year did you get your driving licence?
I am Dutch as well, I got my driving licence in 2009. My driving instructor and examiners were very strict regarding this rule. In my time, If you didn't do this during your driving exam, you immediately failed the exam.
I checked if this is till applied today, according to the Rijprocedure B 2020:
''Uitstappen.
Voor het uitstappen wordt in de binnenspiegel, in de linkerbuiten-spiegel en over de linkerschouder gekeken.Wanneer het voertuig op een parkeerplaats geparkeerd wordt naast een ander voertuig, dan met extra voorzichtigheid het portier openen.''
Agree. Opening the door before watching can have the same effect as cyclists dont know if you have seen them. If I see a door opening just a few cm's I start braking. Mirrors and look over your shoulder. Be aware before that door opens!
I think it's not about with which hand you open the door (the means), it's about that you check what's closely behind and besides you before you open the door (the aim). If you have your mirrors set correctly (meaning: being able to see what's besides the car, rather than what's behind the car - you have the central mirror for that purpose -) it doesn't mind if you open the door with your left or right hand. It's about being aware of possible cyclists nearing and possibly banging to the door you just openend.
@@Bowwow30 Opening with your left hand physically prevents you from looking over your shoulder properly. It is dangerous to rely too much on your mirrors as every mirror in your car has a few blind spots, regardless on how well you set them up.
We learned to check the center mirror, then your door mirror, then open the door with your right hand while looking over your shoulder properly.
This is the only way to negate all blind spots. We also look over our shoulder often while driving when going on or off the highway in the Netherlands, the final (looking over the shoulder) check helps getting a full overview on the new traffic situation.
From my humble experience, it has served me well a few times where both my mirrors didn't show a car joining my lane, but the looking over the shoulder trick did.
@@NLTemp89 I got my drivers license just 2 months ago and I’ve never heard anything about the Dutch reach. We had to be careful and be aware of the surroundings when exitting the vehicle, but no more than that. (I’m Dutch too)
Got my drivers license in 1985 in the north of the Netherlands, and yes: I was taught this during my very first driving-lesson.
I got my licence around the same time, never was taught that.
Few years ago, but didn't hear it. But it's never too late to learn!
As a Dutch person I can say this is one of the first things my instructor taught me when I was getting my license. Everyone uses their (for us) left hand but we do look out to see if the road is free.
Interestingly, I🇳🇱wasn't taught this even though I was taught "Het nieuwe rijden". I prefer opening the door with my left hand, but do always check the mirror.
I've never heard anything about this until now.. Just look in the mirror right?
Me neither, I just use the hand that is closest, but indeed we are thaught to WATCH first (yes, you should scream that). Also teach my children that: always look first! Not just because of bikes though, I don't want a car to hit the door either! 😅
@@Ann3mi3k3 "kijken kost niets, niet kijken kan alles kosten" was de sticker die op het dashboard van mijn rijles auto was geplakt...
This is a very important message! I have worked in a hospital near Amsterdam. I once cared for a woman who cycled into an opening car door. She had many bruises and fractures (multiple ribs and sternum). Breathing was hard for her, she was in a lot of pain. There was no quick and easy therapy for her. Healing proces was long and tough and she will have to live with the scars and misshapen bones. I felt so sorry for her. People should be more careful before opening a car door. Accidents like this can be easily prevented.
Riders should be far more careful in traffic when seeing a car that just parked ahead of them.
Defensive Riding (just like defensive driving) is essential to staying safe for all.
Blaming the car driver for a riders' inattention and injury is not a solution.
@@JohnW118 I assume you're not Dutch. Here in the Netherlands it's an obligation to first look carefully to see if there are bikers coming before opening your car door. This is one of the first things you learn when taking driving lessons. Off course it is advisable for bikers to drive defensively, because it's possible that a car driver forgets to watch out before opening the door. But defensive driving isn't always possible because many streets especially in old city centers are really narrow, so it is inevitable that cyclists have to ride close to cars. A car driver is responsible, not the biker. I think this has to do with the way our cities are build and with the philosophy that we have to protect bikers and encourage people to ride a bike instead of a car.
@@hisgen01 Sure totally, and here in the USA also, HOWEVER, drivers are rarely careful here we have a lot of a-holes, unfortunately, and driver training is nonexistent.
In ANY case, the bike riders should also be careful, and no one should rely on their intimate safety wholly on other people. That's simply foolish and a recipe for eventual disaster.
I ALWAYS check for bicycles, and motorcycles too, and remain vigilant of what is surrounding my car. As a motorcycle rider starting over 50 years ago at 17 I learned early on to NEVER trust someone else to look out for my own safety in traffic. Motorcyclists are taught to ride as if they are INVISIBLE and bicyclists should do also. It's much worse for bicyclists and therefore even more important. And I don't need an awkward 'reach' to do it, as a 70 year old man I may not even be ABLE to do this strained reach as you might. I can better check with my own eyes and mirrors, both. Get real personal safety sense and never rely on others...my 'being Dutch' has nothing to do with safety sense on the roads. ...oh, and stop assuming about other people.
Ah, yes, the Dutch reach. First thing I use when I wake up every day.
Remy 😜
Brilliant 👏
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Another interesting aspect around cycling in the Netherlands is the legal protection in the Netherlands for bicyclists. In an accident, if the cyclist is 14 or under, then the automobilist is automatically legally liable that is they (or more accurately their insurer) will automatically have to pay damage/injury costs to the cyclist even if the cyclist is fully at fault. For cyclists older than 14 then the automobilist (or more accurately their insurer) will have to pay at least 50% but usually the full amount is paid unless there is real gross negligence on the part of the cyclist (for example, the cyclist was extremely drunk). The reasoning around this is that cyclists are more vulnerable.
Another big difference (which hopefully changes in the future) is that Dutch drivers are also frequent cyclists, so they can see from the point of view of a cyclist.
You are absolutely right and that is why the cyclists are not looking out for it again, they simultaneously think that they have eternal life.
When they slowly run into a lamppost they know right away that this is not the case.
1. Cyclist has accident.
2. Look around for nearest motorist to blame.
However I endorse the Dutch the policy of driver's insurance having to pay out, particularly for young cyclists, as I can't think of a better solution, given that trying to make insurance mandatory for cyclists is a non-starter, and the current policy makes it less necessary to try and figure out and apportion blame.
@@heinpereboom5521 Yes, this is called Moral Hazard, and typically it is a difficult problem to deal with in legislation.
@@dakrontu Yes, that's how you can accuse anyone you want.
I always thought it was common sense. Crazy how growing up in Holland makes you aware automatically. When I saw this video I was like “isn’t this common sense?” Did the same thing in the US when stepping out. Not for bikes, but cars.
My experience of opening car doors in the US is obviously different from yours. Mostly that occurred in parking lots, where people would just fling doors open, not caring if they hit another vehicle alongside. (Too rich. Too irresponsible. Too much narcissism. Etc.) Also US car doors back then (don't know about now) were designed to spring outward when you opened them, a stark contrast to driving European cars in the USA. The way to close an American car door was to give it a good slam to overcome the spring that pushes it outward. Americans would do that unnecessarily to European cars, which would close with a much gentler push. Also there was an American habit of pressing the door button while slamming it, which was supposed to lock the door. (Great way of getting locked out with keys inside.) On European cars, this sometimes broke the lock mechanism. Conclusion: Different culture. Different default behaviours. Different views of reality. It is hard to be protective of cyclists if your door springs out, but then I don't ever recall seeing a cyclist coming from behind, they tended to ride contraflow for their own safety.
In Cambridge UK we get lots of foreign tourists in the summer and of course plenty of foreign students. Lots of bikes are hired in the summer. It is not uncommon to see cyclists riding contraflow. Scary as sh*t seeing it happen on a major roundabout. I guess Darwinian selection helps keep it down.
Not sure about using the other arm in the NL, but its clear that they taught us to always check for bikes. Roundabouts are notorious for blind spotting.
I'm a keen cyclist and nearly hit a cyclist with my door yesterday. I am still upset to think it happened so easily... I shall be ultra mindful now and use the Dutch reach.
I am Dutch and i litteraly never open the door this way. But i do watch for cyclists, so look in mirror and over my shoulder before opening the door.... i think we are much more accustomed to cyclistst in the Netherlands in general.
The Dutch are badasses.
I am not Dutch but I do live in The NL. And I can tell you, bikes are everywhere and many times a bike lane is just next to the parking spot.. in 10 minutes (possibly without killing anyone in that time) you learn that you are surrounded by bike and will do all to avoid to hit one (or one hitting your fancy car). Said that, the so called "Dutch Reach" is for sure a clever habit, but the "context" help much more. I personally look at mirrors or turn the head back (which automatically makes my further hand going opening the door). Go biking more! And next time you'll remember bikes exist :-)
I'm Dutch and I never open my car door with the hand the farthest away. I was never taught to do so. That being said I always check when opening any car door because bikes are everywhere here.
As a dutchman I agree of course with this charming british lady. In cycling safety it aint much if it aint dutch. 🙂Greetings from the Netherlands to all british friends. 🇱🇺❤️🇬🇧
Serieus?🤦
😂
Om maar even te negeren dat alleen wielrenners helmen dragen. "In cycling safety ain't much if it ain't dutch" de infrastructuur is misschien veilig bij ons maar als er nou 1 soort geweggebruiker is die schijt heeft aan alles op de weg zijn het fietsers wel hahaha
@@roeldejong9297 Met de starre koppen van ons Nederlanders, heb je tot 30km/u geen helm meer nodig! haha
Vanwaar die Luxemburgse vlag?
0:49 I think it's wise to unfasten your seat belt first before you open the door.
LOL. Goed gezien!
And what is wrong with using the wing mirrors
Exactly, I can see a lot more in the mirror than looking out of the window where my rear view is obstructed by pillars. But she is driving an open top car which doesn't have door pillars. Should have chosen a normal car or put the hood up.
Only works on the drivers side.
Was riding in a bus when a lady parked on the side of the road flung out her door, next second we were driving along with her door stuck to the front of the bus. One way to teach the importance of the Dutch Reach.
I've been doing this for the last few years since a novelty song was played on the radio and it got stuck in my head. Whenever I open the door. Fortunate, because the other day a scooter came out of nowhere and I saw it just as it was passing me I was opening the door. Do it.
I always do the dutch rudder before getting out.
Yes this is a good idea. But it is only half the story, as it does not properly consider effects of wind gusts:
Opening a door on a windy day is always dangerous. Gusts of wind can be very powerful. (And can also affect cyclists, of course.)
One way to reduce the force produced by wind might be to put the window fully down before opening the door so that wind has a lower surface area to operate on.
It also provides more positions in which you can grab the door. Door handles tend to be near the front of the door, thus giving wind more leverage than if the door is being held near its rear.
So here is a possible overall improvement:
1. Wind window fully down. (Enables you to actually look out, ie be less dependent on mirrors, and also hear environmental sounds more easily.)
2. Operate door release with left hand (typically near front of door, affording inadequate leverage to restrain door movement).
3. At same time, hold door towards its rear (easy to do with the window down), for maximum leverage against any wind gusts.
Let's give this a name: The British Reach.
Note: There is a problem with modern cars, which is that powered windows cease to operate when engine is turned off, and may not even operate in accessory position. This is an issue which needs to be addressed by manufacturers as it is not conducive to safety. It would make sense if electric windows can be operated until the car is actually locked.
Dutch are great inventors!
How about checking your mirror before opening the door. It's called the common sense reach!
Nah. It's what we dutch actually do. Just check the bloody mirror.
In the Netherlands chexking mirrors is drilled in driving lessons. If in a drivers licence you did everything perfect, but you get out without checking mirrors you failed the drivers examination and you heve to pay and do a ne exam after 6 months.
Jeez people, this is just a technique to encourage safe practises. Yeah, if you're superb at checking your mirrors, then maybe this is irrelevant to you. But I know that it's something I forget to do on occasion.
A lot of driving is common sense. The highway code contains laws and attempts to offer ways to get people to be safer on the roads and save lives.
Now, it seems like we live in a "who's to blame" culture. I see it all the time on these dashcam videos. If people were just a little more safety aware, so many accidents can be avoided.
Good luck with that when you're in the back of a car.
Only works on the drivers side.
And that's why I drive a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drop Head Coupé to save cyclists...
_In my dreams_ .
Also never heard of this. Look in the side mirror and over your shoulder. And when traffic: bike, car, whatever is coming, i tell my kid, NOT to open his door. NIET de deur open doen.
Works great. Yes, i am Dutch.
Love the first 10 seconds of this video. More please!
Funny, I’ve never heard of the Dutch reach as a Dutchy 🤣 And I still open it with the hand closest to the door, maybe the only difference, I look in the mirror and on my side first, but apparently that’s not common in the UK?!
Also when you step out you also look behind you in the traditional way. This is just unnecessary faff for no added security. It won't stop morons throwing their door open full force like the girl did in the first clip.
In the Netherlands, we just call it the Reach.
Exactly this happened to me during a cycling holIday in the UK IN 1994. When you are going downhill, as a cyclist, and suddenly a car door opens, there is NO time to react at all.
Unless of course you expect there to be a total dick in that car you are passing.
Sounds like you are an irresponsible cyclist exceeding a safe speed in traffic - see someone has just parked? DON'T SPEED BY THEM.
Something to bear in mind is that not everyone who opens a car door is a driver. If you give someone a lift, you can be caught by surprise. I gave 3 foreigners a lift in Cambridge. In the middle of a 3-lane one-way section, when the traffic-flow momentarily paused, they decided they were close enough to their destination, opened 3 doors simultaneously, and stepped out into the traffic. I was utterly shocked, taken by surprise, still had the car in gear with clutch down. Had I understood their cultural differences, I would have been able to warn them. There are cultures where such behaviour is normal, such as India, parts of Asia, etc.
Funtastic 😂
very good way of doing it, also taking of your safety belt would help you actually getting out of the car...
That’s a very brave stunt rider you’ve got there. The sharp metal and glass on car doors goes through flesh and bone just like a butcher’s meat cleaver. Another benefit of the Dutch reach is that it’s a great stretching exercise 😊
Can we not just open the door normally, but be aware of our surroundings and just open the door halfway. Car doors slot into place in two open positions anyways.
Just use your mirrors, check blind spot, open far door normally and up to halfway.
Yes, dutchies are taught to be aware of cyclists when stepping out. But mainly because there are so many cyclists. And also we do cycle ourselves a lot, so we are aware of the risk. And when you do forget to check, you're in for the consequences. Not the least being the verbal abuse including all the dreadfull illnesses the cyclists will wish for you, and your family till the end of times.
Hear, hear
Don't want a damaged door by a hipster on a bakfiets.
Here in the Netherlands it is exactly the same as in other countries, everyone in haste causes accidents.
Taxi drivers can spread the word too - every time a passenger is getting out, they could say "Dutch Reach please". As Uber sponsors this video, get Uber to promote with their drivers?
They do
‘In partnership with Uber’. Lolz 😂
Opening the door with seatbelt on.... Smart
Seen this idea a few times, but all cars I drive/ride in have the release quite far forward, so I need to lean forward if using opposite arm. I certainly am not looking behind whilst doing so.
However I try and always check for bikes, cars, pedestrians etc before opening door anyway, because that is the sensible thing to do.
AND a great stretch to boot!
Thanks this is an excellent video on this issue. Goes hand in hand with maintaining at least a metre distance from parked cars, although this may not always be possible...
Noone does this in the Netherlands. It is not up to the cyclist to keep a safe distance from /parked/ vehicles. In the Dutch road code, anything a parked (or parking) vehicle does is a "special movement" meaning everyone else has priority over them. This includes opening doors.
You also can remove your mirrors…. If you dont’t use them.
This must be the first positive proverb you Brits have made about us Dutch. I am quite moved.
You can put that in your pocket! ;)
@@barryscott1989 Make it now a little!
Use your mirror and look over your shoulder has been my lesson 20 years ago.. Never used my right hand to open the door on the driver side.
Never had a cyclist inside my door opening saying hellooo....
no, in NL you use your left hand to open the door, but because in the UK they used to use the right hand it's called the "ducth reach"
in our country we would call this the "English Reach"
She is my wife. I haven't seen a day she does this. Sometimes even inside our house she hits me the door. Then she massage me to make up for that.
Lol. I'm Dutch and I have never ever openend my door like this. Just look in the mirror and over your shoulder.... Hahahahaha
I teach Mature Driver Improvement Classes in Orange County, California and I include Dutch Reach in the class.
I prefer the Dutch Rudder.
Thanks for this video, this is the law now..... It also stops cars from having to swerve or crash. 👍
The same is true for motorcyclists
I check the wing mirror first, that works better. it is more important for passengers on the backseats. they don't have mirrors. and what about children on the back seats? maybe better to always activate the child lock
When I moved to NL from Russia, I've taken a couple of driving lessons and had to pass the test for my Ditch driving lesson. I do confirm this rule and id you don't follow it, you will not get your driving license.
Also a good tip, straight from The Netherlands: first take off you seatbelt before exiting your car!
This is an excellent video bringing awareness to a simple change of habit that can save lives!
Finally we are getting famous for good reasons 😂😂😂
One of the few uses of the word Dutch wit a non-negative meaning... :-))
Is no one going to ask who this beauty of a presenter is?! (expecting answers please)
I pretty much do this when I get in and out of a car, always, even in a parking lot.
0:06 do people actualy swing their door open like that????
If only cars had reflective panels that would allow us to look behind the car to see other traffic users, so that one could leave their car safely without twisting their neck/torso over 90 degrees.
They used a convertible to demonstrate this 😂
I'm not a driver, but I always do this, but I didn't know there was a name for that.
By the way, I'm curious about how the accident sumulation was made
I am Dutch. Never heard of it.
thank you for the vid
Easier to get into the habit of caring about other people and checking your wing mirrors regular before pulling out, reversing and opening your door
In getting your drivers licence this issue is a killer: doing everything else 100% but forget to look in the mirror and over your shoulder: no drivers licence! Even on a parking lot
Wat we allemaal wel niet bedenken in ons kleine landje.
Did she even check the cyclist who got hit by her door?
Next: driving on the dutch side of the road
You’ll do know that cars nowadays have F mirrors that you can (and should) use. You don’t have to pay extra for those. As Dutch person never heard that expression “Dutch reach”.
not only for cyclists but for your own door so it wont get hit by a car of truck
You guys don't check your mirrors before opening your door...? 🤨
As a cyclist, you should be aware of your surroundings. (1.30 is a false asumprio) If you see a car pull In a parking space, you can bet het will get out. Perhaps not seeing you.
Also keep your distance from parking cars as you drive by.
good luck getting enough clearance from parked cars on a busy road. You are supposing a infrastructure which often is not there.
I thought this was a very logical thing to do lol
First you use the Dutch reach, then the Dutch oven. 💨
It works only in a cabrio... we have no rain here in the Netherlands, like in the UK...
I was born in the Netherlands
and I live in the Netherlands
and I have my Dutch driving license since 1997.
But I've never heard of the Dutch reach.
That must be a mnemonic for people who can't think logically.
Because in the end it's nothing but logic to look in the side mirror and through the window before you open the door.
And by the way, often if all three mirrors are correctly adjusted, you don't have to look back nine times out of ten.
And especially if you have side mirrors with extra compartments in the mirrors against blind corners.
I'm not going to say I'm the best driver in the world.
But taking part in traffic is just simplel.
99% watching
1% handeling.
1% handeling depends on how far ahead you want and can look.
Teach yourself to learn to assess situations as well as possible.
Mainly by looking around you carefully and continuing to look around you.
And then act accordingly.
Trust yourself and not others in traffic.
Just because you have priority doesn't always mean you always get it.
Keeping enough distance and turning on your flashing light on time and holding it on long enough sometimes also help.
I cant wait not to use the ahead of my mirrors and my eyes. Would love the old bill to prove I didn't look first or that it wasn't the cyclists fault as they were going too fast.
I prefer the old Top Gear cyclist ads.
Its not hard to just look in the mirror and the window before opening a door
Not sufficient. There is still a blind corner if you do that. The best way is to do what is shown in the video.
dutch reach or one gets the old dagestani handcuff
Every cyclist should wear at least 100mm of face hardened steel to prevent injury.
£1000 fine to save 60 lives a year. Why not punishing people who party during lockdowns or don't wear masks? That could save thousands of lives a year. Here in Holland we don't even know what the 'Dutch reach' is. Never used it, but we always do look out for bikers before opening our doors. It's part of the training for s driver's licence.
All cyclists give other cyclists the Dutch reach around.
I just watch in my mirrors for 2 to 3 seconds and then open my door, the way she opens it in the begining is just dumb
While I agree 100% with her message, she states that "each year over 60 people are killed or injured..." but then goes on to say that hundreds of injuries could be prevented by using the Dutch Reach. One, or both, of those numbers is distorted.
60 are killed or seriously injured. It's almost like there is also the option of being injured without it being serious or deadly.
Each year 60 injuries adds up to hundreds of injuries over the years.
how's that work for bad back and disability's ?? maybe when over taking a stationary vehicle the rider should do as the driver is expected and give plenty of space between them and the vehicle as do car and motorcycle drivers/riders. or are we to assume all bike riders ride unsafely on he road and compulsive training be brought in for these also ??
''or are we to assume all bike riders ride unsafely on he road''
i dont have a car or a license, but when i ride my bike i always assume every other person on the road is a fucking moron with severe brain damage who doesnt know left from right, and thats a generally healthy attitude to have towards other people in traffic.
also, keep in mind that a stationary car doesnt mean people are in it most of the time, and there are times when you dont see the car just stopped and people are going to exit the car. and giving plenty of space can also be tricky because bike lanes arent generally wide enough that you can avoid an open car door.
so yeah, assuming not only bikers but every single person on the road is a braindead idiot who doesnt know the word safe helps prevent alot of unnecessary accidents. =)
@@RanRayu if you have to use words like the F word in your replies that speaks for its self. Yes bike riders are all unsafe of the road with no training no matter how well you think they ride. All road users are instructed to open doors and check for oncoming road users (yes you have blind spots) as well as Always overtaking parked vehicles with enough room that if a door is opened it won't and can't be hit.
ONLY cyclists are the acception to the rule, they are riding against the side of a vehicle and allowed on the road with zero proof to show a level of competence in thier understanding of the hi way code and how to use a road or understand other traffic.
Push bike users need road education, making those already trained to use the road accountable for those who haven't a clue is not the way to fix the issue. I can check my doors the way I was trained,
I won't be doing the new method as a back injury at work prevents me from twisting they way they now ask us too. Maybe if cyclists had training like every other road user we wouldn't have so many accidents. After all we used to train bike riders in the 80s at the age of 10......why did it stop.
Because of a bad back, others need to do all kinds of stuff? There is not much space on the road to allow to compensate for people who cant do a dutch reach or look out extra carefully because they have a bad physique. World upside down.
@@Gabor123 yeah a bad back from an accident I had 3 years ago but that's my experience there are loads others worse off who need more space, my issue is the only ones on the road with ZERO training are push bike riders with no clue if they are doing things wrong or right at all yet the trained users are treated as if the accidents are our problem. its a laughable joke especially allowing bikes to ride up the inside of a lorry and the lorry has to give way when turning....way to go blind spots and un trained bike riders lol
Or make sure that cars and cyclists are mostly separated on busy roads, by adding a proper bike lane (no, not a painted lane), or even adding a completely separate bike route. Bikers being forced into opposing traffic because someone opens a door is a problem of infrastructure, not of people getting out of their car.
To be safer don't drive, cycle, or walk. Just stay at home. Ray Bradbury was right.
Use your mirrors damn... that system is stupid when you are parked between cars, you don't see cyclists coming... I am a car driver, i always check with my mirrors it's working very good
Seems pretty pointless, You need to teach people to always look in the mirrors and over your shoulder when opening a door not what hand to use.
I always use my left hand to open a car door doesn’t matter what side i’m sitting on, but i always look if there’s something coming
NOS
From what I have read there will be £1000 fine for not doing this. SERIOUSLY!
Dutch cyclist mis one important thing on there bikes; Breaks !!
They me have them, but never us on.
Red light ? Is for cars, not bikes !!
Ever been in Amsterdam?🤯
And you still live ?
WAAAUUW !!
Just move your damn car steering wheel to tye left. Problem solved 👊🏽
So why are they picking on the Netherlands ?¿?
That's not related!
I’m Dutch, never heard of it.
It just goes to show cycling is unhealthy.
Hahaha im dutch so i get jt. But why on earth would you give this example with a cabrio… is shows nothing of the idea😅
Im dutch we dont do that 😂😂😂😂😂