Chubby Checker Helps NYC Fight “Dooring”

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) are joining forces with rock legend Chubby Checker to raise awareness about the dangerous practice of dooring. Dooring happens when someone opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist without checking for traffic first. This sudden movement can cause serious crashes, injuries, and dangerous situations for everyone sharing the road.

As cycling becomes increasingly popular in New York City, drivers and passengers need to pay closer attention before exiting vehicles. The New York Twist campaign makes this safety message memorable by encouraging people to turn and look for cyclists before opening a car door. It is a simple habit that can help protect cyclists, reduce preventable accidents, and promote safer streets.

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Dance Your Way to Safety With the New York Twist

The campaign’s catchy public service announcement features Chubby Checker’s iconic 1961 song, “Let’s Twist Again.” It introduces an easy movement that drivers and passengers can use whenever they leave a vehicle. The technique involves reaching across the body with the hand farthest from the door handle, encouraging the person to turn their shoulders and look behind them.

This movement helps drivers check for approaching cyclists before opening the door. Instead of relying only on a quick glance through a mirror, the New York Twist encourages a more deliberate check of the surrounding area.

Chubby Checker supports the campaign with a message encouraging New Yorkers to make the twist part of their everyday routine. By connecting a familiar song with a practical road safety technique, the campaign aims to make the message easy to remember and follow.

The technique is also known as the Dutch Reach, a method widely associated with safer vehicle exits. It works best when combined with checking mirrors, looking directly for approaching traffic, and opening the door only when it is safe to do so.

Saving Lives One Twist at a Time

Dooring is a serious road safety concern because cyclists may have very little time to react when a car door suddenly opens in front of them. A collision can throw a cyclist off balance or force them into moving traffic. Even at relatively low speeds, these incidents can result in painful injuries and costly recovery.

New York City officials, including representatives of NYC DOT and TLC, have highlighted the importance of preventing these avoidable incidents. The New York Twist campaign uses music and a straightforward physical movement to encourage safer habits among drivers and passengers.

However, preventing dooring requires more than a public service announcement. Drivers should check mirrors and blind spots, passengers should avoid opening doors without looking, and cyclists should remain alert around parked vehicles whenever possible. Protected bike lanes and safer street designs can also help reduce the risk.

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The Dutch Reach: A Time-Tested Solution

The Dutch Reach is a simple method for reducing the risk of opening a car door into a cyclist’s path. Rather than using the hand closest to the door, a driver or passenger reaches across with the opposite hand. This encourages the upper body to turn, making it easier to look back toward approaching traffic.

The technique is associated with the Netherlands, where cycling is a common part of everyday transportation. Its basic principle is easy to apply: pause, turn, check, and then open the door only when the way is clear.

Here is how to practise the Dutch Reach safely:

1. Pause before opening the door. Avoid opening it automatically after parking.
2. Use the opposite hand. Reach across your body for the door handle to encourage a turn.
3. Check mirrors and look back. Watch for cyclists, motorcyclists, and other approaching road users.
4. Open the door carefully. Make sure there is enough space before stepping out.
5. Remind passengers to do the same. Everyone in the vehicle has a role in preventing dooring.

These steps take only a few seconds but can make a meaningful difference. Parents can also teach children to check for traffic before exiting a vehicle, helping build safer habits from an early age.

Cycling on the Rise in NYC

As cycling grows in popularity across New York City, preventing dooring becomes increasingly important. More people are using bicycles for commuting, exercise, errands, and recreation. With more cyclists sharing busy streets with cars, taxis, delivery vehicles, and buses, awareness must remain a priority.

Cyclists can help protect themselves by staying alert near parked vehicles, watching for brake lights and movement inside cars, and maintaining a safe distance from doors whenever road conditions allow. Drivers and passengers, meanwhile, should never assume that a cyclist is far enough away to make opening a door safe.

City infrastructure also plays an important role. Protected bike lanes can create more separation between bicycles and parked or moving vehicles. Clear road markings, public education, and consistent enforcement of traffic rules can further support safer travel.

The New York Twist campaign complements these efforts by focusing on an everyday action that drivers and passengers can control. Although no single technique can eliminate every crash, building safer habits can help reduce preventable risks and encourage greater respect among road users.

Everyday Driving Habits That Support Road Safety

The New York Twist is useful for anyone who drives or travels as a passenger, whether in a private car, taxi, or rideshare vehicle. Before exiting, people should take a moment to check their surroundings rather than rushing into the street.

Drivers can also support safer roads by parking carefully, avoiding sudden movements, and watching for cyclists when entering or leaving parking spaces. Passengers should wait until the vehicle has stopped in a safe location and should check for traffic before opening their doors.

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Conclusion: Make the New York Twist a Daily Habit

Chubby Checker’s involvement in New York City’s dooring awareness campaign shows how a simple, memorable message can encourage safer behaviour. The New York Twist, also known as the Dutch Reach, reminds drivers and passengers to turn, look for approaching cyclists, and open vehicle doors only when it is safe. As cycling continues to play an important role in urban transportation, every road user has a responsibility to help prevent avoidable crashes. By practising this technique, supporting protected bike lanes, and staying alert around parked vehicles, New Yorkers can help make their streets safer for everyone. Make the New York Twist part of every journey and remember that a few seconds of caution can help prevent a serious accident.