I'm in Chicago and I was just chatting with a friend about how the city is getting a bike share program soon and how many accidents will likely occur due to inexperienced cyclists in the streets. And of course talking about bike accidents leads to door accidents.
I think about what I'd do if a door flew open in front of me every time I ride past parked cars. First, I try to ride at least a door's length away from the cars so I can have time to avoid it. I also look through the back windshield and sideview mirror of every car I pass - if there's someone in there, I slow down and/or distance myself farther.
If, however you can't and the door flies open (either wide open or more open than not), then this has been my idea - don't slow down, prepare to put your shoulder into the part of the door farthest from the hinge, and basically try to break the door off. Crazy as it sounds, the point (I think) is it's likely better than slowing down and then effectively hitting a wall. The farther away from the hinge you hit the door, the more likely the door will give and take some of the impact, and if you break the door off, you'll be hitting the ground with less force than if you just flew off your bike.
I should say that I play hockey, so I have the instinct of wanting to propel myself through something (or someone), and well, if you're going to hit something, commit and brace yourself.
Any thoughts? Totally absolutely crazy? Or do I make a little sense?