Photo: abc.net.au
Australia is packed full of dangerous animals, insects and birds determined to kill you, but no one is in more danger during magpie mating season than cyclists and bikers.
That’s when magpies become increasingly territorial, with sightings of swooping magpies even saying they will go out of their way to seek and attack a victim. Bikers and cyclists, but also pedestrians to some extent, are their preferred targets and they will often take them by surprise, swooping in from behind.
This was the case with a 76-year-old cyclist on a cyclepath in Woonona, New South Wales, Australia, abc.net reports. He was taken by surprise by a swooping magpie, which he then tried to avoid by running off the path. This choice proved fatal for him, as he crashed into a fence post, was thrown to the ground and hurt his head. He died at the hospital, some hours after the accident, from the injuries sustained.
“NSW Police are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the NSW coroner,” the publication says. “The man had been riding alongside Nicholson Park where locals say a particularly aggressive magpie has been a repeat offender. The Magpie Alert website, which tracks swooping magpies across Australia, shows around eight attacks in the area.”
In that same area, there is a sign that warns of swooping magpies, but one local business owner says that its location is unfortunate because drivers will only see it after they have been attacked. “Where the sign is, it's on a blind corner and he likes to attack people heading north rather than to the south, [so] by the time you see the sign he's already swooped you,” Kevin Crick explains.
In light of the recent tragedy, city authorities have decided to install more warning signs like the one shown in the picture above. They also encourage cyclists to get off their bikes and walk until they’re out of the reach of the swooping magpie.
This was the case with a 76-year-old cyclist on a cyclepath in Woonona, New South Wales, Australia, abc.net reports. He was taken by surprise by a swooping magpie, which he then tried to avoid by running off the path. This choice proved fatal for him, as he crashed into a fence post, was thrown to the ground and hurt his head. He died at the hospital, some hours after the accident, from the injuries sustained.
“NSW Police are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the NSW coroner,” the publication says. “The man had been riding alongside Nicholson Park where locals say a particularly aggressive magpie has been a repeat offender. The Magpie Alert website, which tracks swooping magpies across Australia, shows around eight attacks in the area.”
In that same area, there is a sign that warns of swooping magpies, but one local business owner says that its location is unfortunate because drivers will only see it after they have been attacked. “Where the sign is, it's on a blind corner and he likes to attack people heading north rather than to the south, [so] by the time you see the sign he's already swooped you,” Kevin Crick explains.
In light of the recent tragedy, city authorities have decided to install more warning signs like the one shown in the picture above. They also encourage cyclists to get off their bikes and walk until they’re out of the reach of the swooping magpie.
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