The Door Zone
Designing Roads for Cycling Safety
Sausalito's Bridgeway waterfront is a scenic jewel, used by residents, visitors, delivery drivers, emergency responders, and local employees alike. But with its charm comes a hidden danger: the "door zone." This seemingly innocuous space beside parked cars is a cyclist's nightmare, where an unexpectedly opened car door can lead to serious injuries or even death. It's a stark reminder that “complete streets” require careful planning and design.
Getting “doored” by an inattentive person exiting a vehicle (credit: momentummag.com)
The "Door Zone" Dilemma: Why Current Bike Lanes Aren't Always Enough
Many of Sausalito's existing bike lanes, particularly along Bridgeway, are a mere 5 feet wide, often squeezed next to narrow parking lanes. This cramped configuration forces cyclists to ride precariously close to parked cars, placing them squarely within the dreaded door zone. Imagine cruising along, enjoying the bay views, when suddenly WHAM - a car door swings open directly in your path. This isn't a hypothetical scenario; it's a terrifying reality for many cyclists.
CyclingSaavy.com illustrates “bare minimum” lane widths
A Brighter Future: The Bridgeway Waterfront Redesign
The proposed redesign of the Bridgeway Waterfront offers a much-needed solution to this dangerous situation. The plan features a thoughtful layout that prioritizes cyclist safety:
Wide Parking Lanes: An 8.5-foot parking lane provides ample space for drivers to exit their vehicles less encroachment on the bike lane.
Dedicated Bike Lane: A 6-foot bike lane gives cyclists a dedicated space, significantly reducing the risk of being "doored."
Meeting the Recommended Practices: The combined 14.5-foot width of the parking and bike lanes exceeds the East Bay Bicycle Coalition's recommended minimum of 14 feet, a significant step towards creating a safer environment.
The engineer-recommended design provides 14.5 feet for parking and bike lanes in the southbound direction.
Beyond the Blueprint: Addressing Real-World Challenges
While the proposed design is a major improvement, we must acknowledge that blueprints don't always perfectly translate to real-world behavior. Driver inattention, rushed exits from vehicles, and even cyclist error can still contribute to door zone incidents. That's why we advocate for a multi-pronged approach to safety:
Promote the Dutch Reach: This simple technique, where drivers use their far hand to open the door, forces them to turn their bodies and check for approaching cyclists. Let's make the Dutch Reach a Sausalito standard!
Launch Education Campaigns: We need targeted campaigns to educate both drivers and cyclists about door zone dangers and safe road-sharing practices.
Conclusion: A Safer Bridgeway for All
The "door zone" is a real and present danger to cyclists, but it's a problem we can solve with good design and outreach. The proposed Bridgeway Waterfront Safety Improvement Project redesign represents a significant step towards creating a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone. By combining smart design with ongoing education and a commitment to continuous improvement, we can ensure that Bridgeway remains a beloved destination for cyclists and a model for other communities to follow. Let's work together to make Sausalito's streets safer for all.
