Originally Posted by
Phil_gretz
^This, exactly. I ride mostly in Virginia, Maryland and the District. Also in North Carolina. The bicyclist is responsible for his own safety. Do not ride in the door zone. If you must, then slow down, ride defensively, check parked cars that you approach for signs of a driver sitting or moving, have your hands poised on the brakes, and get the heck out of there as you're able.
With many parked or stopped vehicles it's nearly impossible to see if anyone is in the driver's seat. That can be the case if the driver is short and is hidden by the headrest or if the rear window and rear passenger compartment windows are heavily tinted or if the vehicle is a truck or a van. That's why I tell people DON'T RIDE IN THE DOOR ZONE!
Cheers