Montreal police opt not to ticket driver after cyclist doored downtown

"A messenger whose bike was totalled after a woman suddenly opened her car door says he's upset Montreal police chose not to issue a ticket.

That's despite stiffer rules recently introduced under Quebec's Highway Safety Code aimed at cracking down on dooring — the common way to describe when someone opens the door of a stopped vehicle without shoulder-checking and hits a passing cyclist."

Snipped

'"When the officers came to talk to me, they insisted on the fact that I had to go to small claims court and they were not going to give a ticket," he said.

The officers also explained to the woman that she should be more careful when opening her door, he said."

Quebec dramatically increased fines for dooring this summer as part of changes to the Highway Safety Code.

The infraction now costs drivers between $200 and $300, up from $30."

Stay out of the door zone and don't expect any help from the authorities. The again, if you do ride lane-center you're quite likely to get run over by a "distracted/texting" driver.

As a bicyclist you're very vulnerable to mistakes made by others. Do whatever you can to minimize those risks.

Cheers

Sir Ridesalot wrote:
"A messenger whose bike was totalled after a woman suddenly opened her
car door says he's upset Montreal police chose not to issue a ticket.

That's despite stiffer rules recently introduced under Quebec's Highway
Safety Code aimed at cracking down on dooring — the common way to
describe when someone opens the door of a stopped vehicle without
shoulder-checking and hits a passing cyclist."

Snipped

'"When the officers came to talk to me, they insisted on the fact that I
had to go to small claims court and they were not going to give a ticket," he said.

The officers also explained to the woman that she should be more careful
when opening her door, he said."

Quebec dramatically increased fines for dooring this summer as part of
changes to the Highway Safety Code.

The infraction now costs drivers between $200 and $300, up from $30."

Stay out of the door zone and don't expect any help from the authorities.
The again, if you do ride lane-center you're quite likely to get run over
by a "distracted/texting" driver.

As a bicyclist you're very vulnerable to mistakes made by others. Do
whatever you can to minimize those risks.

Cheers


Getting laws passed is one thing. Getting them enforced is another.
Staying out of the door zone is the best choice for a cyclist.

--
duane

On 9/1/2016 8:20 PM, Sir Ridesalot wrote:


Stay out of the door zone and don't expect any help from the authorities. The [sic] again, if you do ride lane-center you're quite likely to get run over by a "distracted/texting" driver.

IOW: "Danger! Danger! You'll either get doored or you'll get run over!
Stop riding bikes NOW!"

Sheesh.


--
- Frank Krygowski