What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby idler » Thu Sep 07, 2017 3:06 pm
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby warthog1 » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:30 pm
That's fine Alex.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:I note the rate of injury per reported attack is 16%. That suggests to me handwaving away rider concerns about magpies isn't warranted. They clearly represent a threat to the safety of riders and can definitely cause harm. People have good reason to be concerned about them.
As long as they remember the magpie represents a very minor threat in comparison to the motor vehicles they "share" the road with.
Don't allow fear of a cranky bird to cause a far worse incident.
I used a tuck today and my skilled aviator appeared to have no capacity to get near my face.
I'll report any different.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby warthog1 » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:32 pm
westab wrote: My friendly feathered friend nearly caused me to crash last night on my way to bible study - after dark. It was my fault as I was riding the short way to where we were meeting along near the tree where the nest is. I kept looking and listening for him and missed the large branch that had fallen on the path. It nearly brought me down.
The ped nearby had a small laugh and asked me if I was looking for the magpie - I didn't answer as we both laughed and moved the branch off the path. No damage done - hopefully lesson about swooping at night learned.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby Alex Simmons/RST » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:10 pm
Just because there are other threats to riders doesn't diminish the concern people legitimately have about these birds. It's fallacious to suggest people don't also recognise other threats exist. Magpies represent an additional threat to safety / potential for injury.warthog1 wrote:That's fine Alex.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:I note the rate of injury per reported attack is 16%. That suggests to me handwaving away rider concerns about magpies isn't warranted. They clearly represent a threat to the safety of riders and can definitely cause harm. People have good reason to be concerned about them.
As long as they remember the magpie represents a very minor threat in comparison to the motor vehicles they "share" the road with.
Don't allow fear of a cranky bird to cause a far worse incident.
I used a tuck today and my skilled aviator appeared to have no capacity to get near my face.
I'll report any different.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby warthog1 » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:21 pm
So does walking down stairs, climbing a ladder or getting up for a pee in the night.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:Just because there are other threats to riders doesn't diminish the concern people legitimately have about these birds. It's fallacious to suggest people don't also recognise other threats exist. Magpies represent an additional threat to safety / potential for injury.warthog1 wrote:That's fine Alex.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:I note the rate of injury per reported attack is 16%. That suggests to me handwaving away rider concerns about magpies isn't warranted. They clearly represent a threat to the safety of riders and can definitely cause harm. People have good reason to be concerned about them.
As long as they remember the magpie represents a very minor threat in comparison to the motor vehicles they "share" the road with.
Don't allow fear of a cranky bird to cause a far worse incident.
I used a tuck today and my skilled aviator appeared to have no capacity to get near my face.
I'll report any different.
The risk of injury is massively increased by unwarranted fear is my point.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby Alex Simmons/RST » Fri Sep 08, 2017 7:36 am
Given 16% of reported attacks result in injury, I would contend people's concern for their safety is not unwarranted.warthog1 wrote:So does walking down stairs, climbing a ladder or getting up for a pee in the night.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:Just because there are other threats to riders doesn't diminish the concern people legitimately have about these birds. It's fallacious to suggest people don't also recognise other threats exist. Magpies represent an additional threat to safety / potential for injury.warthog1 wrote:
That's fine Alex.
As long as they remember the magpie represents a very minor threat in comparison to the motor vehicles they "share" the road with.
Don't allow fear of a cranky bird to cause a far worse incident.
I used a tuck today and my skilled aviator appeared to have no capacity to get near my face.
I'll report any different.
The risk of injury is massively increased by unwarranted fear is my point.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby Cyclophiliac » Fri Sep 08, 2017 7:55 am
Yes, but what's the probability of a cyclist being attacked by a magpie on any ride? I can't find any figures on this, but various internet sources (e.g. https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/liv ... _safe.html, or https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files ... gbirds.pdf) seem to indicate that only a small proportion of magpies attack people. So that 16% you quoted (source?) is only part of the picture.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:Given 16% of reported attacks result in injury, I would contend people's concern for their safety is not unwarranted.warthog1 wrote:So does walking down stairs, climbing a ladder or getting up for a pee in the night.Alex Simmons/RST wrote: Just because there are other threats to riders doesn't diminish the concern people legitimately have about these birds. It's fallacious to suggest people don't also recognise other threats exist. Magpies represent an additional threat to safety / potential for injury.
The risk of injury is massively increased by unwarranted fear is my point.
It's been about 7 years since a magpie last attacked me.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby fat and old » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:39 am
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby warthog1 » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:12 am
I've got a couple on my commute.
I don't know how I've survived thus far.
Sheer dogged guts, determination and a fearless, willing resolve to place myself in harms way despite the risk of a slight scratch.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby warthog1 » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:49 pm
Carry on and post about magpies everyone.
Some of them can be determined and strike like a messerschitt out of the sun I agree, totally surprising you.
I'll shut the flock up and read other threads
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby adam0bmx0 » Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:54 pm
That's about the 15th time i've been hit so far this year by 5 separate magpies (one guy got me 8 times )
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby Scott No Mates » Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:33 am
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby g-boaf » Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:26 pm
That Greystanes aquaduct one is swooping now. Some guy warned me about it this morning. Solution is to turn off at Taylor Street and then ride along Merrylands Road up to Greystanes Road and then go left at the roundabout.Hergest wrote:The one at the end of Powerhouse Road in Liverpool is having exploratory swoops as is the one on Greystanes Aquaduct.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby Alex Simmons/RST » Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:37 pm
One victim, school student Tameka Connors of Hastings Secondary College's Westport campus, was lucky to avoid serious injury on her way to school earlier this week. She was left bleeding and with a gash to her head after the magpie attacked.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby g-boaf » Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:50 pm
I'm sure someone will come along with sarcastic remarks about the school student being scared of a little harmless bird. Most of them only really swoop, but some of them do much worse as you've highlighted. There are a few around Sydney that are dangerous.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/stor ... eo/?cs=483
One victim, school student Tameka Connors of Hastings Secondary College's Westport campus, was lucky to avoid serious injury on her way to school earlier this week. She was left bleeding and with a gash to her head after the magpie attacked.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby fat and old » Wed Sep 13, 2017 2:09 pm
My son was attacked by a magpie and ran. Not looking where he was going, he tripped awkwardly and broke his foot. He was 6 foot, solid as and in Uni at the time
I'd forgotten all about that.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby RonK » Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:06 pm
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby silentC » Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:30 pm
A couple of our's are active, not the one I ride past frequently though. Yet...
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby Mediocratus » Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:47 pm
They are not all harmless. http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/magpi ... yglfz.htmlwarthog1 wrote:lol
despite the risk of a slight scratch.
This child may lose an eye as a result of an attack. It doesn't do to under estimate them.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby warthog1 » Wed Sep 13, 2017 8:04 pm
Won't someone think of the children?Mediocratus wrote:They are not all harmless. http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/magpi ... yglfz.htmlwarthog1 wrote:lol
despite the risk of a slight scratch.
This child may lose an eye as a result of an attack. It doesn't do to under estimate them.
I am trying to stay out of this thread but if people want to keep quoting me......
FFS it is a 300gm bird and you are an adult of 200 times or more it's mass, wearing a helmet. It's not that hard. Drop your head and pedal.
I'm sorry, in the overall scheme of riding a bicycle on the road it simply doesn't rate as a risk I'm at all concerned about.
You may continue to quake in fear if you wish, just don't end up under a passing motor-vehicle as a result. That is the only real risk and easily avoided imo.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby JPB » Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:45 pm
But in my personal experience i have had a number of magpie attacks where they have drawn blood and fortunately zero times when a car and I have touched.
I am wary of both.
And a magpie will chase me on a bike path where i am safe from cars
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby sertse » Wed Sep 13, 2017 11:32 pm
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby Hergest » Thu Sep 14, 2017 2:03 am
What on earth has the weight of the bird and your own weight got to do with it? Or a helmet for that matter? The magpie isn't trying to crush you, it's trying to poke your eyes out with its very, very sharp beak and can come right out of the blue. It's a genuine concern for a lot of people. Would you also rubbish people who wanted to keep away from a brown snake on a path? It's only a light thing after all so using your weight ratio reckoning it shouldn't be anything to worry about.warthog1 wrote: Won't someone think of the children?
I am trying to stay out of this thread but if people want to keep quoting me......
FFS it is a 300gm bird and you are an adult of 200 times or more it's mass, wearing a helmet. It's not that hard. Drop your head and pedal.
I'm sorry, in the overall scheme of riding a bicycle on the road it simply doesn't rate as a risk I'm at all concerned about.
You may continue to quake in fear if you wish, just don't end up under a passing motor-vehicle as a result. That is the only real risk and easily avoided imo.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby warthog1 » Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:16 am
Sure let's run with that analogy,Hergest wrote:What on earth has the weight of the bird and your own weight got to do with it? Or a helmet for that matter? The magpie isn't trying to crush you, it's trying to poke your eyes out with its very, very sharp beak and can come right out of the blue. It's a genuine concern for a lot of people. Would you also rubbish people who wanted to keep away from a brown snake on a path? It's only a light thing after all so using your weight ratio reckoning it shouldn't be anything to worry about.warthog1 wrote: Won't someone think of the children?
I am trying to stay out of this thread but if people want to keep quoting me......
FFS it is a 300gm bird and you are an adult of 200 times or more it's mass, wearing a helmet. It's not that hard. Drop your head and pedal.
I'm sorry, in the overall scheme of riding a bicycle on the road it simply doesn't rate as a risk I'm at all concerned about.
You may continue to quake in fear if you wish, just don't end up under a passing motor-vehicle as a result. That is the only real risk and easily avoided imo.
When the magpie is equipped with a fast acting neurotoxin that paralyses the muscles of respiration I'll commence to show some concern.
Until then it remains a 300 gm feathery fella defending it's nest that at worst delivers a light tap. I'll drop my head and pedal like I have for the last 20 odd years and hundreds strikes on my helmet and continue on unconcerned.
I'm yet to have an eye plucked out or even suffer a slight scratch.
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Re: What, no 2017 Magpie thread yet?
Postby biker jk » Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:24 am
You might possess a thick skull as a defence against injury.warthog1 wrote:Sure let's run with that analogy,Hergest wrote:What on earth has the weight of the bird and your own weight got to do with it? Or a helmet for that matter? The magpie isn't trying to crush you, it's trying to poke your eyes out with its very, very sharp beak and can come right out of the blue. It's a genuine concern for a lot of people. Would you also rubbish people who wanted to keep away from a brown snake on a path? It's only a light thing after all so using your weight ratio reckoning it shouldn't be anything to worry about.warthog1 wrote: Won't someone think of the children?
I am trying to stay out of this thread but if people want to keep quoting me......
FFS it is a 300gm bird and you are an adult of 200 times or more it's mass, wearing a helmet. It's not that hard. Drop your head and pedal.
I'm sorry, in the overall scheme of riding a bicycle on the road it simply doesn't rate as a risk I'm at all concerned about.
You may continue to quake in fear if you wish, just don't end up under a passing motor-vehicle as a result. That is the only real risk and easily avoided imo.
When the magpie is equipped with a fast acting neurotoxin that paralyses the muscles of respiration I'll commence to show some concern.
Until then it remains a 300 gm feathery fella defending it's nest that at worst delivers a light tap. I'll drop my head and pedal like I have for the last 20 odd years and hundreds strikes on my helmet and continue on unconcerned.
I'm yet to have an eye plucked out or even suffer a slight scratch.
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