Illinois will begin tracking bicycle "dooring" incidents -- bicyclists struck by doors opened by parked cars -- as crashes, Gov. Pat Quinn announced Monday.
Previously, the accidents went unrecognized in the Illinois Department of Transportation's reporting because a moving car wasn't involved.
New data will help determine where the accidents happen most, Quinn said, and help implement future roadway improvements in congested areas with a high number of bicyclists.
As gas in Chicago inches closer to $5 per gallon, more motorists are choosing bikes as their preferred mode of transportation.
Chicago Police already have begun tracking dooring collisions, and as part of the new tracking directive, the department will have its data included in state traffic stats retroactive to May 2010. Other departments across the state will start tracking the crashes immediately.
“Safety always will be a top priority at IDOT," Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said. "The recognition of dooring accidents is another step in the right direction.”
