Published on January 7, 2026
Running, Riding, and Urban Hazards
For runners looking to improve performance, prevent injury, or add variety to their training, cycling has become a popular cross-training option. It’s low-impact, builds cardiovascular endurance, and gives overworked joints a break from pounding pavement. In cities like Chicago, where lakefront trails, park routes, and urban infrastructure support both runners and cyclists, it makes sense for many athletes to switch between the two disciplines.
But the switch isn’t as seamless as it seems. Cycling on city streets introduces an entirely different set of risks, especially for those more familiar with running paths than bike lanes. One of the most dangerous and least anticipated is bicycle dooring. This occurs when a cyclist crashes into an open car door that swings out into the bike lane or street, often with little warning.
Dooring isn’t rare. It happens regularly in urban areas with high traffic, dense street parking, and a mix of vehicle and bike use — all characteristics that define Chicago’s roadways. For runners new to city cycling, awareness of this hazard is essential. Understanding what causes dooring, where it’s most likely to happen, and how to reduce the chances of a collision can make every ride safer, more enjoyable, and injury-free.
What Is Dooring — and Why It’s So Common in Chicago
A dooring incident takes place when a car door opens unexpectedly into a cyclist’s path. Unlike a typical collision at an intersection or with another moving vehicle, dooring happens at close range, often too quickly for the cyclist to stop or swerve in time. The impact can throw a rider into traffic, onto the pavement, or into the side of the vehicle. Injuries range from bruises and broken bones to head trauma, depending on speed, angle, and reaction time.
Chicago sees more than its fair share of dooring incidents. According to city transportation data, hundreds of such crashes are reported annually — and many more go unreported. The city’s dense parking layout, older neighborhoods with narrow streets, and the continued mix of car and bicycle traffic all contribute to a higher risk profile.
Certain areas are especially hazardous: busy commercial corridors, high-foot-traffic streets, and locations near restaurants, retail strips, or event venues. In these areas, people frequently enter and exit cars without checking for cyclists. Unlike in some cities where protected bike lanes physically separate riders from parked vehicles, much of Chicago’s infrastructure still relies on painted lanes — which, in many cases, run directly next to rows of cars.
Even when designated bike lanes are present, they may be too narrow to provide a safe distance from parked cars. Some drivers and passengers open doors quickly, especially when distracted or in a rush, creating conditions that make dooring almost inevitable.
It’s essential for every cyclist — particularly those newer to urban riding — to develop defensive habits. Reviewing specific tips to avoid bicycle-dooring in Chicago can help reduce your risk and provide strategies to prevent sudden collisions.
Spot the Risk: How to Read the Road and Anticipate Doors
Avoiding dooring incidents begins with the ability to anticipate risky situations before they develop. Cyclists who remain alert to their environment are far less likely to be caught off guard. In a city like Chicago, where distractions are everywhere, attention to detail becomes one of your best safety tools.
Start by scanning parked cars well in advance of where you’re riding. Look for cues that someone might be inside — shadows through the windows, heads moving, brake lights fading, or even subtle shifts in the suspension of the vehicle. If you notice a recently parked car, assume the door could open at any moment.
Common hotspots include stretches of road where delivery drivers or rideshare passengers frequently enter and exit vehicles. In neighborhoods with restaurants, bars, or retail shops, high foot-traffic volumes and limited short-term parking make these areas more dangerous for passing cyclists. During morning commutes or evening rush hours, driver impatience and distraction increase the likelihood of doors opening unexpectedly.
One strategy to improve awareness is to raise your line of sight while riding. Instead of focusing on the pavement directly in front of your tire, train your eyes to sweep the street ahead. This wider visual range helps you identify potential threats—not just vehicles, but also people walking between cars, cars pulling out, or doors opening.
These observational habits align with broader findings in urban cycling safety behavior, which emphasize early detection, peripheral scanning, and defensive spacing as key factors in accident prevention. Runners who are new to biking should prioritize this type of mental engagement with their surroundings, especially during their early rides through the city.
Lane Positioning and Speed: Your Best Defense Against Dooring
Many dooring accidents can be avoided by adjusting your position on the road. The safest place to ride is outside the “door zone,” which generally spans the three to five feet next to parked cars. Riding outside this zone significantly reduces risk.
In parts of Chicago where the street layout allows it, staying on the left side of the bike lane — or even outside it when necessary — can provide a safer buffer. Although this might place you closer to traffic, it’s often a better option than hugging the row of parked cars.
When conditions make it unsafe to ride close to the curb, taking part of the travel lane is a legal and appropriate choice. It allows you to position yourself where you’re more visible and have space to maneuver if needed. Communicate your intentions through clear hand signals and maintain a predictable movement pattern.
Speed control also plays a critical role. Slowing down in high-risk areas provides more time to react if a door swings open. Many runners bring a strong cardio base to cycling and may be tempted to maintain high speeds. While this is beneficial for training, safety should always come first when navigating areas with dense parking or heavy traffic.
Bike handling skills also affect your ability to avoid hazards. Learn to ride in a straight line while scanning side to side, brake smoothly, and shift your weight appropriately. These skills, combined with strategic positioning, can help prevent sudden swerves into traffic and maintain your balance in tight spaces.
Choosing your routes wisely is another overlooked tactic. Whenever possible, select streets with protected bike lanes or buffered space between parked cars and the cycling lane. If you’re unfamiliar with local routes, apps that map safe cycling infrastructure or feedback from Chicago-based cycling groups can help identify better options.
For those adding cycling to a structured training plan, it’s important to consider how environmental risk factors affect your workout. As you incorporate cross-training with cycling into your weekly routine, factor in not only physical goals but also situational awareness and street-level safety.
What to Do If You’re Doored
If a dooring incident occurs, how you respond in the moments afterward is crucial. First, move to a safe location away from traffic, and take a moment to assess yourself. Even if you feel fine, take caution. The adrenaline of a crash often masks pain or injury.
Document the scene as thoroughly as possible. Use your phone to take photos of the car, the door’s position, your bike, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, gather their contact information. Exchange details with the person who opened the door, including name, phone number, and vehicle information.
In Chicago, filing a police report is highly recommended. It creates a formal record of the incident, which may be important for insurance purposes, medical care, or subsequent legal proceedings. Even if the damage seems minor, filing a report protects you in case symptoms or injuries develop later.
Dooring can cause physical and psychological setbacks — especially for runners who rely on cycling as a key part of recovery or injury prevention. Take the time you need to evaluate your bike, your health, and your comfort level before resuming rides. Being proactive about medical care and equipment inspection can prevent longer-term consequences.