Who would have been at fault?

DrKJM

Hi.

I've recently started cycling in after changing jobs and on the ride home today I was riding on the nearside of a stationary queue of traffic when a passenger (in a cab, close to the train station) leapt out of the passenger side. I saw him and stopped without hitting him or the door but it was close. Had I made contact would it have been my fault or would the passenger of the cab borne some liability for not having checked? Just curious, as I think I've learned my lesson re care in those circumstances.

Thanks

Kevin

veronese68

I would say it's their fault for not looking. I don't know if this is correct.
I tend to filter on the offside as I feel safer. Cars can't squish me into the kerb, I can see what's coming and if necessary move in between cars to let a wide vehicle through, if the traffic starts to move off there is plenty of time to pick your moment and merge in between cars as they move off. I think drivers are more likely to expect something to pass on their right.

sfichele

Highway code:

Parking
239
....
you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door – check for cyclists or other traffic

Though it doesn't say which door. So it probably means all doors. "Must" means its a legal requirement (I think)

veronese68

Reading something else and saw this:
http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/secure/ever-been-doored-it-is-actually-illegal/

DrKJM

Thanks. Useful to know.