This small adjustment to the way you open your car door could save a life.

More Australians than ever before are ditching the drive to work and jumping on their bikes instead.

It’s good for their health and great for the environment, but it also comes with risks.

One the biggest threats to cyclists on the road are car doors being opened in their path, by drivers who accidentally forget to look over their shoulders.

There’s a simple trick to help you remember, and the Dutch have been using it for more than 50 years.

It’s called the “Dutch Reach“.

When people get out of the car, whether from the drivers seat of passenger side, they tend to use the hand closest to the door.

By using your far hand to reach across your body you'll automatically twist, forcing yourself to look behind you or - at the very least - catch a glimpse in your side view mirror.

You can watch a demonstration in the video above.

It's as easy as that!