Bicyclists call it getting doored.

And in this case, it was deadly. Los Angeles police last night said a 49-year-old bicyclist died after a BMW driver opened her door as he rode in a bike lane, striking the rider and ending his two-wheeled journey forever.

It happened …

… about 6:30 p.m. March 3 on Vine Street near Banner Avenue in Hollywood, according to the LAPD.


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Cops appear to blame the 26-year-old driver of a BMW 328i for the “opening of a car door when unsafe,” according to the department's statement:

… A 49-year-old male resident of Los Angeles was riding his bicycle southbound on Vine Street in the bicycle lane and collided with the motorist's door. The collision caused the bicyclist to be thrown from the bicycle and land in the roadway.

The victim was hospitalized and held on until March 8 when he died, cops said.

Detectives are still looking for possible witnesses: 213-473-0234.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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