A cyclist has detailed how he and two other riders were thrown over their handlebars after colliding with rope catchers strung along a cycle path.
The trio were cycling along the Poznan Path footbridge, near Hackham West, in Adelaide’s south-east, when they came across the wire traps at around 6.20am on January 10.
The cyclists, who were traveling at a speed of 35 km/h, were thrown over their handlebars and suffered minor injuries, including bruises and abrasions.
Their expensive bicycles suffered a combined $40,000 in damage.
“Somehow we got up and walked away, it definitely upset us,” cyclist Morgan Billings said 9News.
“The worst things go through your head… there’s no body armor we wear, it’s us against the pavement.”
Mr Billings, who has been cycling for more than a decade, said if the group had been riding at high speed they would have suffered serious injuries.
“If we hit that wire at 30 miles an hour … there will be minimal broken collarbones or wrists,” he said.
Experienced cyclist Morgan Billings (pictured) said he and his two friends suffered serious injuries after wire was stretched across the cycle path
Nurse Nadine McMillan (pictured) also hit the wire while riding her bicycle along the path between Honey Pot Road and Beach Road on her way to work
The group, coming from the highway, had slowed down to chat just before crashing into the meter-high wire.
Just three days later, aged care nurse Nadine McMillan also hit the wire while riding her bike along the path between Honey Pot Road and Beach Road.
The young nurse became tangled during her early morning ride to work and severely damaged her bicycle, but avoided serious injuries.
SAPOL has since arrested an 18-year-old man from Noarlunga Downs after launching an investigation into the alleged booby trapping.
He was charged with four counts of endangering life and was refused bail. He will appear at Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Police claim the wire was removed from a fence before being tied to a tree across the path.
Southern District Superintendent Mark McEachern called the two separate incidents serious violations.
“What we suspected may have been an opportunistic incident [last Friday] and hopefully an isolated one… [Monday’s] incident has shown it to be much more sinister than that,” Inspector McEachern said.
Mr Billings and his three friends, who were riding their bikes at 22mph, were thrown from their bikes and suffered minor injuries after crashing into the fence wire (pictured)
“The fact that it’s happened twice makes us concerned that someone is out there [allegedly] get active and cut it off.”
Cyclists are urged to be aware of wires and other obstacles when riding their bikes along the path.
Intent to cause serious harm is a serious criminal offense in South Australia and carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years if someone is convicted of the crime.
Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.