door prize

n. a collision between a bicyclist and a suddenly opened vehicle door. Subjects: English

Editorial Note: This term seems to be particularly common in Toronto.

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Citations: 1991 Seattle Times (Nov. 5) “Sharing The Road&Mdash;Bicycle Commuters Are Here To Stay” p. A21: There are reasons why a cyclist might ride “in the middle of the road.” Cyclists don’t always ride right next to the edge of the road for several reasons: a) glass, gravel, potholes, sewer grates, etc., on the side of the road, b) cars nosing out of blind driveways, c) parked cars along the side of the road (it’s no fun to be somebody’s door prize). 1994 Margot Gibb-Clark Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (May 10) “Middle Kingdom Basics Training: Riding Out The Blacktop Jungle”: Ride one metre out from the sidewalk or parked cars, not only to avoid road debris or someone suddenly opening a car door ("the door prize"), but because you’ll be better able to manoeuvre to the right in a tight situation. 2005 [transient0] @ Toronto, Can. Kuro5hin (Mar. 19) “A Coder in Courierland”: I was knocked from my bike. My front wheel and shocks were damaged, but i wasn’t. The second time was a door prize. As i rode north up Yonge, someone opened the door of their parked car directly into my path.

Posted 24 Mar 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend