Skip to main content

Bear in the sights

A touring cyclist in Canada recently received the benefit of a new training tool while out on a long ride. The cyclist was slowly pedalling up a long climb on his heavily laden bicycle. A bear spotted the solo rider, and deciding that this presented a meal opportunity, hopped over the guardrail and ambled quietly after the rider. Luckily for the cyclist, a driver in a pick-up truck spotted what was happening and placed his vehicle in-between the animal and the bicycle, while also sounding his horn.
October 12, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

A touring cyclist in Canada recently received the benefit of a new training tool while out on a long ride. The cyclist was slowly pedalling up a long climb on his heavily laden bicycle. A bear spotted the solo rider, and deciding that this presented a meal opportunity, hopped over the guardrail and ambled quietly after the rider. Luckily for the cyclist, a driver in a pick-up truck spotted what was happening and placed his vehicle in-between the animal and the bicycle, while also sounding his horn. The cyclist meanwhile looked around and saw what was happening, then picked up his pace somewhat. Another pick-up truck driver also then placed his vehicle between the animal and the cyclist, helping to further protect the rider. The cyclist was able to escape unharmed and the disappointed bear ambled away, looking for another easy meal instead.

Related Content

  • Automated testing is safer, cheaper and more thorough
    December 12, 2018
    Automated testing is improving safety during paving and saving on testing costs. But it could also help reduce long-term maintenance costs too - Kristina Smith writes Testing pavements as they are laid can be a hazardous activity. The technician may be on their hands and knees, far behind the main gang, or reaching inside the hopper to measure the temperature of the hot mix or dodging rollers to take density readings.
  • How safe is safe?
    February 7, 2024
    When it comes to vehicle restraint systems, just how safe it safe? Attendees to the 3rd International Conference on Road Safety, put on by the ERF - European Union Road Federation – found out, reports David Arminas.
  • Wildlife risk to drivers survey being conducted
    June 29, 2016
    A researcher based in Canada is carrying out a research project in the form of a survey assessing the safety risk posed by wildlife to drivers. The risk posed by wildlife to those travelling in vehicles can be severe in some areas and evaluating data can be important for assessing risk levels and awareness of risk levels amongst road users. There is the potential for serious injury or even death in the event of crashes with large animals or at high speeds. Meanwhile a driver avoiding an animal in the roadwa
  • Vehicle scrappage scheme not really 'green'
    February 27, 2012
    In Europe, considerable political noise is being made over a new vehicle scrappage scheme that is said to be better for the environment.