Footage has been posted on YouTube of an incident earlier in the week in Chicago where a cyclist was doored by a motorist, and according to the lawyer who posted the video, the police officer didn’t cite the driver, but suggested that the cyclist might be ticketed for not using a bike lane.
In the video posted by YouTube user Jim Freeman of law firm Freeman Kevenides, the driver of a white car can be seen pulling in and a few seconds later a cyclist passes the car. The driver opens their door just as the cyclist passes, knocking the cyclist to the ground. Fortunately for the cyclist, there was no vehicle behind him as he was knocked down, and although shaken, he appeared to be relatively unhurt.
After the police officer had departed from the scene of the accident, the CCTV footage then shows what appears to be the motorist high-fiving a friend before walking away from the car.
A statement on the video provides additional information about the incident as it outlines that: “The officer refused to take a report and suggested that she might give the cyclist a ticket for not riding in a bicycle lane. The driver was allowed to leave without providing any information to the cyclist.”
“Bicycles are not required to use bicycle lanes. They are permitted users of Illinois roadways. 625 ILCS 5/11-1502 “Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be granted all the rights and subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.”
“It is, however, a violation of Illinois and Chicago law to open your door into oncoming traffic.”
“Chicago Municipal Code Section 9-80-035 – No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so…”
It’s then stated that the identity of the driver is unknown and the law firm are requesting information on the driver.
what a wanker..
It looks pre-meditated!
To be fair…the cyclist should give himself more room, I am a cyclist and I reckon he has himself to blame, sorry mate.