Cyclist safety

[ozzy72]

Now this is truely a new one...

Cyclists are being advised to paint eyes on top of their helmets to scare off an angry buzzard which attacked 22 riders taking part in cycle races around Holsworthy, Devon.

[Hagar]

I mentioned this yesterday in the Evil Bird thread complete with pix. I think pic #2 & #3 happened earlier in the week. I assumed all cyclists wear helmets these days especially when racing. I know I would even without a mad buzzard to worry about.

A BUZZARD swoops on cyclist Paul Dixon - its TWENTIETH victim this week.  

The bird - nicknamed Buzz - is believed to be pecking and clawing riders to protect its chicks.

Last weekend Buzz dive-bombed cyclists taking part in a race. A spokeswoman said: "Those who weren't wearing helmets were left bleeding."

Now Paul, 71, has also been left with nasty head gashes after cycling around Holsworthy, Devon.  

He said:"I have four or five cuts." The RSPCA suggest cyclists wear helmets with eyes painted on top to scare Buzz off.

[Saitek]

I never ever wore a helmet... what teenager would?
Then it happened, - my front wheel shot out when I was cycling fast... I was well and truly away after hitting the ground.  The awful damage to my face, although it was only superficial, and the hospital experience that followed has made me never look at cycling again without wearing a helmet. I learnt the hard way.

Ben

[Iroquois]

Good, could you send a couple of thoese buzzards over here. It's the cyclists who are the problem. They keep insisting on riding up two of the bussiest roads in the area.

[ozzy72]

Ouch, that looks painful

[atotti2000]

its a good job it isnt a lardger bird of prey

[Woodlouse2002]

Yeah, if it was one of those eagles from Lord of the Rings then we would never have seen those cyclists again!

[Hagar]

I reckon a buzzard is quite big enough to hook your eye out. I know it's protecting its young ones but I wonder what it has against cyclists?

[Woodlouse2002]

I'm sure you could ask any motorist in london and find out why.

[Hagar]

I'm sure you could ask any motorist in london and find out why.

Being a motorist myself I already know that. I was wondering why the bird apparently dislikes them too. Maybe I should get a pet buzzard.

[Woodlouse2002]

Well, maybe he doesn't like bald patches. Or maybe the cyclists had egg on their faces.

[atotti2000]

no man, its because of the shape of his helmet. (eegg shaped.)

The bird thought:

ooh arr, that cyclist yonder, ist steealin moi eggs. oi betterr be gettin 'im.  ee's troi-ing to escape with it on is ead. well oiil be.

NOTICE: it happened in devon.  ;)

[ozzy72]

Ant have you been at the scrumpy again?

[atotti2000]

Its the Canada Dry man

[Hagar]

Sad news. Seems like Buzz bit off more than he could chew.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3814991.stm

Buzzard dies dive-bombing a van

An angry buzzard which was blamed for more than 20 attacks on cyclists on a country road in Devon has died after dive-bombing a van.

The RSPB said the aggressive bird of prey was accidentally killed on Wednesday when it swooped on the vehicle near Holsworthy.

Experts believe the buzzard - which has a 1m wingspan - could have been protecting a nest.

The bird had been swooping on cyclists, gouging holes in their helmets.

Emma Parkin from the RSPB said the driver of the van that hit the bird had reported the accident immediately.

She said it was unusual for buzzards to attack humans, which suggested it had once been in captivity.

She said: "It was just being a good parent, although it was probably rather too enthusiastic."