Dad backs 'Dutch Reach' campaign to keep cyclists safe after son was knocked down by taxi door

A father of a cyclist from Leicester who died almost three years ago, when a taxi door was opened in front of him, is backing a new safety campaign called The Dutch Reach.

The Dutch Reach encourages drivers and passengers to open the car door with their opposite hand, in order to protect cyclists from being hit.

It was first formed in the Netherlands and is now being promoted by Cycling UK and the taxi company Uber.

The latest campaign highlights the potential dangers of swinging your car door open without properly checking for oncoming traffic.

Jeff Boulton, who's son died in an incident involving a car door, has been encouraging people to use the Dutch Reach for almost three years.

His son died whilst cycling down London road in Leicester in July 2016 when as he was by the passenger door of a stationary taxi and was forced into the path of a moving van.

He told ITV News: "Before he got to Leicester Train Station, there was a taxi that had pulled up, on no parking, double yellow lines.

"And as he was getting closer, the taxi driver has obviously not kept control of the passengers and the passenger on Sam getting on the side of the car was literally knocked Sam off his bike."

"Sam has then gone under a van which caused catastrophic injuries to him and basically we were told he was dead at the scene," he added.

Sam Boulton, who was a teacher in Coalville, Leicestershire, died on his 26th birthday, a week after he got engaged.

Cycling UK said it's "vitally important" to back the campaign as they say around 60 cyclists are killed or seriously injured in incidents involving car doors.