Magpie attack on cyclists

While out riding pondering what to write about in my next blog entry it hit me like a bolt out of the blue. Once again, like many cyclists have been, I was the subject of a magpie attack. Hospital records show that cyclists suffer attack injuries more than any other activity group.

This is something that generally only occurs during the magpie breeding season in spring. Usually the first you know about it is the thump you get on your helmet. If this is the first time this has happened to you, you will probably wonder what is going on. Typically you will be hit three to six times in succession from behind, usually about 5 or 10 seconds apart as the magpie regathers its height and swoops again.

My advice is as follows
* don't look up. Turning your face to see your offender could mean you cop it in the face, and this could be followed by a loss of bike control and more serious injury
* don't be tempted to duck your head down as this will expose the back of your neck, or if your head is lower than your back you may find the bird on your back
* wear glasses or sunglasses, as the eye is the body part most susceptible to a direct attack
* keep you composure and hold your line. A tumble, particularly with traffic around is potentially much more serious than what the magpie can do itself
* don't yell at the bird, unless you enjoy the adrenaline rush, as this seems to provoke them more
* if you are really concerned dismount and push your bike through the affected area, which will normally be about two hundred metres long, and/or
* use one of those orange traffic flags that is higher than your head.

Your helmet is your best protection, so use it!

Following any attack you might be able to lobby your local authorities to have the birds removed, or depending on your local laws you may be able to deal to them yourself. I would normally say live and let live, but in New Zealand these are alien invader species and do not belong as part of the landscape. However bird lovers may think differently. In addition removing them may not solve the problem as others may simply move in to take their place.

Have a look at this video of a magpie attacking a cyclist on NZ VORB cycling website to get a good idea of what happens. This youtube video shows a normal magpie attack on a child on a bike who does the right thing except for veering across the road without looking for traffic.