As a fan of cycling, I can tell you that riding down a street full of parked cars can be nerve-wracking since you never know if one is about to open its door as you ride by. European cyclists can rest a little easier because both Ford and Volkswagen are taking steps to prevent occupants in their vehicles from “dooring” them.
Ford’s Exit Warning is being rolled out first and foremost to European delivery vans, such as the Transit Custom and the Tourneo Custom. However, some passenger vehicles, like the Explorer and the Mustang, will also get it.
“We know that dropping off hundreds of parcels a day can be difficult and demanding for delivery drivers – especially at this time of year,” says Hans Schep, the general manager of Ford Pro Europe. “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.”
Read: Bay Area Cyclists Being Targeted By Motorists Who Try To ‘Door’ Them
Exit Warning uses the vehicle’s radar and other external sensors to see if a bicycle is approaching. If it senses that opening a door could be dangerous, an LED indicator on the side mirror illuminates, as does a warning light on the dashboard to let the occupant know. To prevent it from tripping unnecessarily, the system only warns door openers of vehicles traveling at 4 mph (7 km/h) or more.
Meanwhile, VW is introducing a similar technology in Europe, but its system is primarily targeted at passenger vehicles like the new Tiguan, Passat, Golf, ID.4, and ID.5. Like the aforementioned Fords, these vehicles will illuminate their side mirrors if they sense a bicycle coming when a door is being opened. On top of that, they also sound a chime, to give door openers an auditory cue.
However, the new VW ID.7 sedan goes one step further. In addition to the visual and audio warnings, the car can also prevent the door from being opened at all if someone tries to open it despite the warnings. The door is only unopenable for a short period, but the system continues working even after the EV has been shut off for up to three minutes.
The new features are clever, and they take advantage of technology already installed on the vehicles in question. And it can make a big impact. In Great Britain alone, estimates suggest that more than 500 cyclists are injured in dooring incidents every year. With delivery vehicles like vans making 200 stops per day, any help drivers (and cyclists) can get is welcome.