Uber, Lyft act to reduce ‘dooring’ injuries to bicyclists in the US

Some states and localities are starting to tax ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, a sign governments seek to overhaul their tax structures in response to a rapidly changing economy. (Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

A ride-hailing car swoops into the right lane, double parks and a passenger thrusts open the door as he prepares to jump out. The door strikes a passing bicyclist, throwing her onto the pavement. 

Scenarios like that have become increasingly common as Uber and Lyft grow in popularity. Now both companies are actively alerting drivers and riders in San Francisco and other cities to exercise care to avoid “dooring”, the term for opening a car door into a cyclist’s path.