What technique should you use when opening the car door if a cyclist is nearby?

Using your left hand to open the car door when a cyclist is nearby is the safest technique as it encourages you to turn your body and look over your shoulder at the approaching cyclist. This action increases your awareness of the traffic situation and helps ensure you don’t unintentionally hit a cyclist who may be approaching from behind.

When you use your left hand to open the door, your natural inclination is to look back towards the left and check for any cyclists or other vehicles, increasing the likelihood that you'll notice them before opening the door. This practice aligns with safe driving and awareness principles, promoting the safety of both the driver and nearby cyclists.

While keeping an eye on the cyclist is important, simply checking the rear view mirror or opening the door quickly can lead to dangerous situations, and those actions do not prioritize visibility or awareness of your surroundings in the same way that using your left hand does.