Cyclist stakes out space on the road with pool noodle hack

Friday, October 21, 2016, 8:18 PM - When it comes to bike safety, there's no noodling around for cyclist Warren Huska.

The Toronto resident cycles 18 kilometres to his office at Yonge and Sheppard everyday. After a nasty run-in with a chain of pickup trucks during the spring and a close call with his daughter's Trail-a-Bike in tow, Huska realized it was time to stake out his space on the road.

It was just after Ontario enacted a law in May of 2015 requiring drivers to leave one-metre's distance for cyclists when Huska walked outside one day and spotted his daughter's pool noodle. 

Winter Sneak Peek: Classic Winter or green for the holidays? Exclusive first look at what the winter might bring this year. | FORECAST & MAPS HERE

Using a bungee cord, Huska strapped the noodle to the frame of his bike. Fast forward a year and a half later, and the cyclist continues to tackle Toronto traffic with his trusty foam cylinder.

"Originally it made me feel self-conscious, but I soon realized that cars were changing lanes to pass me. They were not trying to squeeze by in the same narrow lane as me," Huska told The Weather Network.

The noodle has reminded drivers how much room is required.

Courtesy: Warren Huska

"As cyclists we try to share the space, but it can be really challenging when there is so little of it. We ride around with gritted teeth, muttering under our breath and hope we don't get hit."

While Huska has received some negative feedback, he says most people pat him on the back.

"I was kind of shocked at the number of times people would roll down their windows and shout encouragement to me. I've had police cruisers with a cop riding shotgun offering me a high five while riding by."

It seems other cyclists are now adopting the pool noodle hack, including one of Huska's comrades from a local cycling group.

"Transit is more of a team sport, more of cooperative effort. It's not a war on anybody, everybody is getting to where they need to go and there is some kind of unspoken agreement that is being established with the noodle."

According to Toronto Police, over 860 collisions between cars and bikes occurred between January and September of 2016. Toronto Paramedics Services recently urged people to pay more attention on the road after ten pedestrians were struck during Thursday morning's wet commute.

"It's disappoints me that everyone has what it takes to not have these collisions," Husk said. "It's too easy to point and try to blame, but we can all be responsible for everyone else's safety."

Huska has biked with the noodle through all seasons and weather conditions. However, he has "dreaded" the onset of fall due to dark evening rides.

"The general overall stress level rises because everyone is coping with the stress of glare and road conditions, including myself," said Huska. "It's surprisingly noisy for cyclists because of all of the tires on wet pavement and the visibility drops dramatically."

Reflective tape is wrapped around the pool noodle, which is key this time of year, explained Huska.

Courtesy: Warren Huska

"It gives me more confidence that I'm being seen and with enough leeway for people to react."

The noodle is more valuable during the winter months when roads are slick and even narrower with accumulating snow, according to Huska. Due to normal wear and tear the cyclist has been forced to replace the noodle three times. However, it's a small price to pay for a life saved.