Cyclist Uses Pool Noodle To Make Car Drivers Keep Their Distance

Fed up of motorists getting too close to him, one cyclist has gone to pretty extreme lengths to keep cars as far away as possible.

The unnamed man was spotted making his way down a road in Brisbane, Australia, with a yellow pool float sticking out of the right-hand side of his bicycle.

Stunned at what he had just witnessed, Alfred Botha took a photo of the bizarre setup and posted it to social media.

The design firm boss shared the pic with the caption: "Got to hand it to the folks in Bardon. They do know their rights."

And it certainly started a debate, with some people branding it a 'great idea'.

One person wrote: "Fair call! Now I will visualise a pool noodle when passing a cyclist!"

Facebook/Alfred Botha

A second commented: "Great idea, just a bit longer than the one I had as a kid."

While another added: "I really think this diligence for safety is a must."

However, according to Mr Botha, the noddle didn't quite have the desired effect and actually became a hindrance for other drivers.

Speaking to the Daily Mail Australia, he said: "Unfortunately for the bloke [the noodle] didn't work. The noodle stuck out too far to the right and if he tried to turn [a corner] he'd end up blocking the vehicles trying to drive straight on.

"It was more of an obstruction than anything else."

According to Queensland legislation, drivers must leave a gap of at least a one metre between their vehicle and a cyclist, when driving in zones with a speed limit of 60km/hr or less.

When the speed limit is above this, the gap must be increased to 1.5 metres.

PA

Now, pool noodle or not, cycling is a great way of staying fit and healthy.

Earlier this year NHS doctors in Wales began prescribing patients with memberships to a local bike schemes.

It is hoped the initiative will help reduce the risk of people developing heart disease.

According to a recent study, cycling regularly can cut the chances of developing heart disease by as much as 46 percent, while it can reduce cancer risks by 45 percent.

It was also found that even a small amount of cycling can cut the risk of both heart disease and cancer by 36 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

The idea is being tested out by GPs in Cardiff, Wales, using the city's Nextbike bicycle-share scheme as part of a prescription.

Topics: Interesting, Australia, Health

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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