Bicycle rider in Poland hits open vehicle door

On Monday, September 1st, 2025, a cyclist collided with the car door of a Mini Cooper S on Weststraße in Bielefeld. The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:15 PM, resulted in minor injuries for the cyclist, a 61-year-old man from Bielefeld, and minor damage to the car.

The driver involved in the incident was a 25-year-old woman from Bielefeld. According to the police, the cyclist was unable to brake or swerve in time to avoid the collision.

In response to the incident, the police have issued a safety reminder for drivers and cyclists. When exiting a car, drivers are advised to use the "Dutch Reach." This involves opening the car door with your right hand, turning your upper body, and looking directly behind you. This simple action helps spot approaching cyclists who might have been missed in the side mirror.

Passengers are also advised to use their left hand to automatically turn towards the rear when exiting a car. This simple action can prevent "dooring" incidents, where a cyclist is hit by an opening car door.

Cyclists are advised to maintain a minimum safety distance of one meter when passing parked or stationary cars. This allows them enough time to react if a car door suddenly opens.

For press-related inquiries, Fabian Rickel, a member of the press staff at the Police Directorate Bielefeld, can be contacted. His contact details are available on the Polizeipräsidium Bielefeld's website (bielefeld.polizei.nrw). Alternatively, you can send an email to [email protected].

Outside of office hours, contact can be made through the control center at 0521/545-0. The incident on Weststraße serves as a reminder for all road users to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.