ST. PAUL, Minnesota — A 69-year-old man is dead after a parked driver opened her car door into his path while he was cycling through a St. Paul neighborhood last month.
Ricki Larson was riding on the 1600 block of Highland Parkway on the afternoon of June 27 when a driver got out of her parked car and swung the door open, striking him directly.
Larson suffered a serious head injury and was rushed to Regions Hospital. He was removed from life support on Friday.
The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. She was not cited or arrested.
A Fear Every Cyclist Knows
Among bicyclists, “dooring” — being struck by a suddenly opened car door — is one of the most dreaded hazards on the road.
Minnesota law is clear: drivers must confirm it is safe before opening a door into traffic. But the law did not save Larson.
Cycling safety advocates say bicyclists are legally permitted to ride in the full lane specifically to avoid risks like this one.
“Most likely that bicyclist is going to end up injured or worse,” said one spokesperson for a statewide bicycle advocacy group — a warning that proved tragically accurate in Larson’s case.
One Habit That Could Save Lives
Safety advocates are now urging drivers to adopt the “Dutch reach” — a simple technique where the driver uses the hand farthest from the door to open it.
That small motion forces the body to turn, naturally directing the eyes toward mirrors and oncoming traffic before the door swings open.
Beyond that technique, Twin Cities cycling advocates say the real fix is attitude.
“Handling a deadly machine is a sacred duty,” said one local cycling safety advocate. “There’s just not any excuse for anything less than full attention.”
Have you ever had a close call while cycling or walking near parked cars? Share your experience in the comments.
