A cyclist resorted to strapping a swimming pool float to his bike in order to keep drivers a safe distance away from him.
Toronto resident Warren Huska said he decided to attach a pool noodle, a foam cylinder used by learner swimmers, to his bike last year to remind motorists of the safe passing distance.
The innovation was timed to coincide with new laws in Ontario requiring drivers to leave a metre’s distance when overtaking cyclists.
Mr Huska said the move had led to an “almost magical” change as drivers afford him a wide berth on his 18km journey from his home to his office.
He told the Toronto Star: “People get really insulated inside a vehicle.
“They don’t really know where the edges of their vehicle are.”
“The edge of the noodle (helps them) gauge space instead of them trying to judge where my elbow was.
“Suddenly all the cars are changing lanes to go around me.”
He added drivers had wound down their windows to congratulate him on the tool but added only one other cyclists had decided to use their own noodle.
He added: “I’m unconcerned about looking good. I’m concerned about my safety most.”
Toronto police say there were 864 collisions between cars and bikes from January to September, according to the Star.
