Ford claims its new van can solve the issue of “cyclists getting doored” by drivers and passengers

Ford has claimed that with its all-new van Transit Custom, it hopes it can prevent cyclists getting doored by making use of its external sensors and alert systems which can make the driver or the passengers aware of an approaching cyclist.

It took only until 2020 for Ford, the American auto-industry behemoth partially behind populating the country's suburban streets with large vehicles (often used by walking-distance locals going to the supermarket to buy a pint of milk) to acknowledge that cyclists exist, with its Emoji Jacket — that was a thing, remember? And it seems Ford has also begun to realise that cyclists can get hurt by motorists' actions, even when they aren't driving — one such danger being dooring.

> Ford's latest cycle safety brainwave? The Emoji Jacket. No, really...

"Dooring" incidents can occur when drivers open the doors of their vehicles without noticing that cyclists are approaching. According to Cycling UK, every year, in England, Wales and Scotland alone, more than 500 people are injured because of dooring. It also believes that these numbers only tell half the picture, as many incidents as such go unreported.

To solve this, Ford, which previously came up with anti-dooring wing mirrors, has gone one step further and produced a dedicated sensor system called "Exit Warning" in the latest model of its top-selling van, Transit.

Hopefully this picture doesn't bring back your worst memories...

Ford says, "Radar and external sensors help identify when an opening door might cause a collision with a passing road user and LED indicators on the door mirrors are activated, as well as an alert on the dashboard."

The Exit Warning system works on both sides of the vehicle and according to Ford, it can apparently be useful for instances where the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle from the passenger door and cyclists might be on the pavement, or a cycle lane is running parallel to the road.

> Chris Froome doored on way home from training ride, sustains minor injuries

De nieuwe Ford Transit Custom kan ‘portierbotsingen’ met fietsers helpen voorkomen met slimme Exit Warning-technologie. Lees meer op: https://t.co/WgZzY0p1sE #FordNederland #Veiligverkeer #roadsafety #TransitCustom pic.twitter.com/kQeEpVb70G

— Ford Nederland (@FordNL) December 7, 2023

Ford also says it has made sure that you don't unnecessarily activate the alert system — it only operates when other road users exceed speeds of 7 kilometres per hour. Drivers and their passengers, however, can "manually override the feature in an emergency".

How dangerous is dooring for cyclists?

In many instances previously, dooring has proved to be very dangerous, and in some, even fatal. In 2021, a 65-year-old woman died in hospital after she crashed into a car door in Haringey.

In 2018, Maria Bitner-Glindzicz was killed when a van driver opened his door without looking, forcing her to swerve into the path of a taxi that was overtaking her.

In 2017, Sam Boulton was killed outside Leicester railway station when a taxi passenger opened her door, knocking him off his bike and into the path of an oncoming van.

Boulton’s family have since campaigned for warning stickers to be added to taxis and for the Dutch Reach method of opening car doors to be incorporated into the driving test and the Highway Code.

There are countless such incidents depicting serious injuries or sometimes even resulting in a loss of life — most of them accidental, but sometimes it can be intentional too.

> Cyclist deliberately doored by hit-and-run Audi TT driver

What about the Dutch Reach?

In the latest set of changes to the Highway Code in 2022, the Dutch read method was finally included as a recommendation to motorists to reduce the chances of dooring a cyclist.

> Highway Code changes: what is the Dutch Reach and will drivers be fined £1,000 if they don't use it?

As per 'Rule 239' of the proposed Highway Code changes, which aim to better protect vulnerable road users, when getting out, motorists are recommended to open the door using the hand on the opposite side to the door they are opening; for example, using the left hand to open a door on your right side.

This makes you turn your head to look over your shoulder, making you less likely to cause an injury to the cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement.

Why is it called Dutch? Well, because it's a simple method taught to learner drivers in the Netherlands to better see blind spots and reduce the chances of dooring.

Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro in Europe, meanwhile believes that vans are the lifeblood of our cities. He said: "We know that dropping off hundreds of parcels a day can be difficult and demanding for delivery drivers – especially at this time of year. By offering Exit Warning on the all-new Transit Custom, we are aiming to make journeys safer for Ford Pro drivers and other road users as well."

However, Schep's claims about vans being the lifeblood of our cities was very recently disputed by many tradespeople who explicitly said that they had ditched their vans for the bicycle.

> “But tradespeople can’t carry their stuff around by bike” – oh yes they can! How cargo bikes are changing the way people work

What do you think? Can installing radars and sensors help motorists to stop dooring cyclists? Let us know in the comments...