the Dutch reach
a safe way to open a car door
TRANSLATION
the Dutch reach = Der Dutch Reach, niederländischer Griff, Holländer-Griff, holländischer Griff (soll das Übersehen eines Radfahrers beim Öffnen der Tür eines geparkten Fahrzeugs verhindern)
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
“’DUTCH REACH’ Car Door Opening Technique Added To Britain’s Road Rules.”
Forbes Magazine
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“How this one simple trick became a worldwide phenomenon. The DUTCH REACH, a simple method for getting out of your car without endangering bikers, is slowly gaining momentum.”
Fast Company
Did you
know?
the Dutch reach
noun phrase
- a method of opening a car door by reaching over with the hand that is not on the same side as the door. This makes you look over your shoulder and allows you to see if a cyclist is approaching.
McMillan Dictionary
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ORIGIN
The phrase “the Dutch reach” most likely stems from its having been a national practice in the Netherlands for over 50 years.
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All together, 17 million Dutch own 22.5 million bicycles, that’s 1.3 bicycles per capita - more than any other country in the world. The runner-up is – not surprisingly – is Denmark, with 0.8 bicycles per Dane.
You may think the Chinese cycle a lot too, but they own only 0.4 bicycles per person, just slightly more than the US with 0.3 bicycles per person.
Dutch infrastructure for cycling is phenomenal with around 35,000 kilometres of dedicated cycling pathways; not including designated road space where cycling takes place in the same space as motor traffic, which adds another 55,000 kilometres.
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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation today, say something like:
“I don’t know a single biker who wouldn’t support THE DUTCH REACH practice.”
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P.S. A BIG THANKS to all “Friends-of-OWAD” who are supporting my efforts to keep the service going:)
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