Bikers Face the Perils of “Dooring” in Chicago

Bike riding has taken off in Chicago in the last few years. More bike riding has predictably lead to more bike accidents. The bike accident lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. have witnessed the rise of bike accidents first hand, with more injury cases calling than ever. One of the most common types of bike crashes that Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. handle are “dooring” accidents. In Chicago the majority of bike lanes run right next to parked cars, and that proximity creates a serious and underappreciated danger: the risk of being “doored.” In a dooring accident, a motorist or passenger forgets to look for bikes and opens a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist, causing a collision, most often throwing the biker off their bike that often results in an injury.

In this post, we’ll explain why dooring is a uniquely dangerous hazard in Chicago, what the law says about it, relevant crash data, and how injured cyclists can protect their rights.

Why “Dooring” Is Especially Risky in Chicago

Bike lanes adjacent to parked cars = danger zone

Many of Chicago’s bike lanes are curbside lanes painted directly alongside parked cars. While the intention is to separate cyclists from moving traffic, the downside is that cyclists travel through what is called the “door zone” — the space in which car doors can open. Because the lanes are narrow and close to parked vehicles, there’s little margin for error.

Furthermore, many of Chicago’s “protected” or buffered bike lanes still have parked cars adjacent to the lane, meaning dooring risk persists.

Prevalence of dooring in urban areas

Dooring accidents are a well-documented hazard in dense, parked-car-heavy streets. A study of dooring events noted that doorings account for about 15.2 % of all bike collisions in many contexts. In many cities across the globe, doorings are among the most common and injurious bike-vehicle incidents.

In Chicago specifically:

In 2011, there were 334 reported dooring crashes in Chicago, accounting for about 20 % of all reported bike crashes that year.
In 2015, 302 bicyclists were doored in Chicago — a 50 % increase over the prior year — out of a total of 1,720 reported bicycle accidents in the city.
According to Chicago’s crash data, in 2023 there were approximately 1,440 bicycle crashes in Chicago, of which 1,270 resulted in injury; and about 20 % of crashes are attributed to dooring (i.e. someone opening a door into a cyclist’s path).

These numbers reveal that dooring is not a rare event but a recurring danger.

The Law: Dooring Is Illegal in Chicago & Illinois

Chicago Municipal Code: Section 9-80-035

Chicago’s local law is explicit:

“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, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.”

Violations of that section carry enhanced penalties when a collision with a bicycle results. Under Chicago Municipal Code 9-4-025, if the dooring violation interferes with the movement of a bicycle, the fine is up to $300; but if the violation causes a collision between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, the fine can reach $1,000.

Illinois State Law: 625 ILCS 5/11-1407

Illinois law likewise prohibits opening a car door into moving traffic unless it is safe, and without interfering with traffic (which includes bicyclists).

In other words: motorists and passengers must look before opening a door. That duty is both under state law and mirrored in the Chicago municipal code.

Other relevant statutes

Under Illinois law, vehicles are prohibited from driving, standing, or parking in a bicycle lane unless necessary to avoid conflict or to turn.
There is also a requirement in Illinois for drivers to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Real-life enforcement & verdicts

Despite clear laws, enforcement is inconsistent. Insurance companies and negligent motorists often contest liability, sometimes blaming the cyclist.

But there are victories. For example, a Cook County jury awarded $212,976 in a dooring crash case under Chicago’s opening-door rule (Section 9-30-035 and 625 ILCS 5/11-1407). This shows that when the facts and evidence are presented well, juries can hold drivers or passengers accountable.

Why Cyclists Often Can’t Be Blamed in Dooring Crashes

The dooring is sudden and unavoidable. The cyclist has very little time to react. As a commentary noted, “opening a car door into a cyclist’s path is illegal in Chicago. And it is nearly impossible for a cyclist to be at fault in a dooring accident.”
Once a door is ajar, the cyclist often has no safe route: either smash into the door or swerve into motor traffic — either choice risks injury.
In many cases, the motorist or passenger exited without looking or without checking mirrors/cameras, violating the statutory duty.

In short: the law is designed to place the burden of care on the person exiting the vehicle, not the cyclist.

Types of Injuries & Consequences

Dooring collisions can inflict serious harm. Common injuries include:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion
Fractures — ribs, arms, collarbones
Shoulder, elbow, wrist injuries
Spinal injuries or disc herniation
Road rash, lacerations, soft-tissue damage
Secondary collisions: when a cyclist is doored into the path of a moving vehicle

A detailed analysis of dooring events found patterns in the types and severity of injuries, reinforcing that these are not minor crashes but often medically serious.

Given the potential costs — medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering — cycling victims need to understand their legal rights after a dooring incident.

What Cyclists Can Do to Reduce Risk (and Protect Their Rights)

While the root cause is often the negligence of a motorist or passenger, cyclists can adopt several practices to reduce risk and strengthen claims if injury occurs:

Ride with spatial awareness, not hugging the curb
Don’t ride right next to parked cars. Leave “buffer space” so that sudden door openings are less likely to hit you directly.
Scan for occupied cars
Watch for brake lights, movement in the vehicle, people inside. If someone is parked and appears about to exit (doors ajar, movement inside), give extra space or slow.
Assume the worst
Operate under the assumption that a door may open. Be defensive and prepared to brake or swerve safely.
Use lighting and high-visibility gear
Make yourself more conspicuous, especially in low light, to increase the chance the occupant will see you.
Capture evidence
- Photograph the scene (door, bike, surrounding context, skid marks, etc.)
- Note the vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate
- Get witness names and contact information
- Seek prompt medical attention — document all injuries
Report to police
Even if injuries seem minor, a police report can help preserve evidence and support claims later.
Consult an experienced personal injury attorney
A lawyer familiar with cycling accidents can handle communications with insurers, preserve claims, gather expert testimony, and litigate if needed.

If you’re injured by a dooring collision in Chicago, the bike injury law firm of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. can:

Investigate the scene (accident reconstruction, expert witnesses)
Establish liability under Chicago and Illinois laws
Communicate with insurers and opposing parties
Calculate damages and fight for compensation (medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering)
Negotiate settlements or litigate in court

Because dooring cases are often contested (defendants may argue the cyclist “cut too close” or “was riding recklessly”), having legal representation is critical to speak with an experienced attorney before giving a statement to defendant’s insurance company. You can call the bicycle and e-scooter injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. for a free consultation to make sure you preserve your rights to recover damages for your injury.