The car door is potentially a deadly weapon

Alberto Paulon, 25, was knocked to the road when a person in a parked car opened their door, and he was then hit by a passing truck in Melbourne. (source) (video)

Paulon was riding to work. The 'accident' happend in an area where one in ten residents regularly ride to work. (source)

"Car drivers and passengers need to recognise that the car door is potentially a deadly weapon and was in this situation

Victoria Police issued 180 dooring notices in the past 12 months. The fine is $369." (source)

Cyclist groups are pushing for government-backed safety awareness campaigns (source)



In Paul Virilio's dromology there is no 'accident' or even 'incident', there is only an integral accident. The accident is inherent in the set up of the technology and its (fossil fuel) culture.

Paul Virilio: Der eigentliche Unfall. Wien: Passagen 2009, Allem Anfang wohnt ein Unfall inne Buchrezension

see also
Cyclist killed, law breached, driver not charged

Update:
Eliminating the risk of "Dooring": Good cycle infrastructure design keeps cyclists out of the door zone and saves lives, A view from the cyclepath

Sydney Bike Rage

In Sydney it is not about sharing spaces of mobility, but a "level of premeditation" by motorists leads to "bike rage".

"An international transport expert said Sydney drivers were more hostile towards cyclists than motorists of any other country."

Firecrackers (images: yuck danger) were thrown into a group of bikes. In 2008 "a motorist deliberately slammed on his brakes in front of up to 60 cyclists - including Olympians - before fleeing the scene."

Via news.com.130909
Image: Dysfunctional plastic bike for young people at Manly Beach

Air pollution kills most

Although collisions with vehicles remain a serious danger to the lives and physical well-being of cyclists, the main danger is less visible. Air pollution is slowly killing far more cyclists than are being more rapidly killed by the vehicles we are forced to share the roads with. Diesel in particular is a major life-shortener. Where the hit-and-run driver may be found after claiming to go and get an ambulance and may have to pay for the action, the impersonal addition of poisonous particles to the commonly owned air we breathe cannot be attributed to any particular agent. This kind of mass poisoning seems to be permitted by law.

Image: Air hunger, public urban art, Frankfurt

Demanding Safer Cycling Conditions

700 cyclist were demanding safer cycling conditions in Melbourne today. A cyclist died there last month, when she was hit by a tour bus. Despite the 'National Ride to Work Day' hype, a lot of urban planning needs to be done on Australian cities and sub-urbia.
Safe, physically separated cycle and walking paths, before all the gadgets of helmets, fluorescent plastic clothing etc. Provide the infrastructure for safe mobility without the stink and life-threatening dangers. Target the mind-set of 'speeding'.

Image: altered 'Time is Money', H.Haluschka,1938 via Zeno