Furious cyclists claim they have become innocent victims in targeted ‘man traps’ where hundreds of thumb tacks have been deliberately laid out across popular bike paths.
Tracey Yatras was cycling in Birkdale, south east of Brisbane, on Sunday when she came up against a line of the drawing pins that spanned about three metres.
Both hers and her husband’s bike tyres were punctured after they unknowingly rode over the sharp objects – just one of more than four similar instances in February alone, ABC News reports.
Tracey Yatras was cycling in Birkdale, south east of Brisbane, on Sunday when she and her husband (pictured) came up against a line of the drawing pins
Both hers and her husband’s bike tyres were punctured after they unknowingly rode over the sharp objects
‘We were riding along, come out of a side street and came back onto the main road which is Birkdale Road and on the verge there, and I said to my husband, ‘you have a flat tyre’,’ Ms Yatras said.
‘I just wish people didn’t have this small-minded mentality, in an area where children are riding as well. Anybody could be hurt. I’ve seen elderly people on their tricycles ride down there as well.’
‘It is disheartening that someone would stoop to a low level of throwing tacks on the road. People need to think about the consequences of their actions,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
Another cyclist, Laith Beveridge – Cranks Bicycle Garage owner, was riding down the popular Esplanade route in the city’s bayside suburb of Manly when he saw another rider fall victim to a trap.
A metal strip with tacks glued to one side of it had been laid on the ground of the path.
Rival Bikes owner John Williams also had one of his tyres punctured while riding along the Esplanade, and moments later another cyclists suffered the same fate
‘It’s lucky the way he caught it it didn’t get caught up in his back wheel. It could’ve locked up and caused an accident. People go to extreme lengths to try to hurt us,’ he said.
Mr Beveridge conceded some riders were an annoyance to the public, but said that was ‘no excuse for putting out mantraps’.
Rival Bikes owner John Williams also had one of his tyres punctured while riding along the Esplanade, and moments later another cyclists suffered the same fate.
Tacks deliberately laid along paths was a serious threat to lives, Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage said, with her describing the act as a ‘serious criminal offence’.
She said endangering the lives of cyclists was unacceptable and urged anyone with information to contact police.
Laith Beveridge – Cranks Bicycle Garage owner, was riding down the popular Esplanade route in the city’s bayside suburb of Manly when he saw another rider fall victim to a trap