Councillor wants three-foot gap between cyclists, motorists

A Toronto councillor wants a law pased that would require a one-metre buffer zone between cyclists and drivers.

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam is seeking an amendment to the provincial Highway Traffic Act so that a one-metre gap is mandatory when passing cyclists.

She says the motion is inspired by the death of Toronto cyclist Jenna Morrison. The Toronto yoga instructor and mother was killed in a collision with a truck on Dundas Street West and Sterling Avenue in 2011. She was pregnant with her second child. The driver was not charged.

"The image of the young Jenna Morrison's bloody bike, the loss of her life and the life of her unborn child is still very vivid in many people's memories," said Wong-Tam. "It was so senseless ... We want people to be safe. We want people to share the road."

The motion will be tabled May 7.

Wong-Tam said 21 cities in the United States have similar laws already in place.