Dutch reach

English

Etymology

The term was coined by an American physician in 2016^[1] for the purpose of promoting the far hand reach method to prevent dooring. The Dutch language has no name for the maneuver,^[2] and the Dutch historically referred to it simply as “the way one opens the car door.” The first known description of the method appeared in 1961 in a Dutch newspaper.^[3]

Noun

the Dutch reach

A technique for opening a motor vehicle door to avoid striking (“dooring”) passing cyclists or other road users by reaching across the body for the door latch with the more distant hand.
- 2018 October 17, Gwyn Topham, “Highway Code to promote ‘Dutch reach’ to protect cyclists”, in The Guardian‎^[4]:
  It is proposed that the code will highlight the Dutch reach, a method of opening car doors by turning and using the hand furthest from the handle, which forces drivers or passengers to look behind them for passing cyclists.

Translations

technique for opening a motor vehicle door

French: poignée hollandaise (fr) f

References

^ Steve Annear (2016 September 8) “To avoid ‘doorings,’ cyclist wants drivers to do the ‘Dutch Reach’”, in Boston Globe‎^[1]
^ Tanya Mohn (2018 October 5) “The Dutch Reach: A No-Tech Way to Save Bicyclists’ Lives”, in The New York Times‎^[2], →ISSN
^ “Hoe stapt u uit een auto? [How do you get out of a car?]”, in De Telegraaf‎^[3] (in Dutch), 1961 August 19