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Worried bikers fear more booby traps
Reporter: ANDREW RUDKIN
Date online: 07 January 2013
LETHAL booby traps have been laid at a Saddleworth beauty spot used by cyclists.
Black cords tied between trees and unstable boulders placed in jump landing zones were discovered last week at the Chew Plantation, near Dovestone Reservoir, by a pssser-by.
Police and Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT) have warned walkers and bikers to take care in case there are more traps.
Mick Nield, team leader with OMRT, said the area is unofficially used by bikers for performing tricks.
“The bikers possibly should not be there, but this could kill someone.
“It looks like someone is frustrated with the bikers, but this is a stupid way of stopping them.”
Tim Mitchell, of Saddleworth Clarion Cycling Club, said: “This way of stopping a cyclist is simply dangerous.
“Bikes can get up to 40 to 50mph with not too much effort and this could decapitate someone.”
Anyone with information should call police on the non-emergency number, 101.
Comments
this sort of thing was happening all the time up on crompton moor.
it turned out to be a band of "do-gooder" walkers who thought it was only their right to be up there and no one else's!
I condemn the booby traps but the bikers should wonder why it is happening. Could it be that many are rude, arrogant and overbearing expecting people to move out of their way even when walking on lawful FOOTPATHS? The speed of the clown shown on television coming down Chew Piece said it all really. Stating that they can reach speeds up to 50 mph in a busy countryside area where lots of families and young children are about shows as much irresponsibility as the people placing booby traps.
So, JOHNNY, all cyclists have 'brought this on themselves'? Just so I am clear, you advocate indiscriminate maiming becuase of 'morons' you have seen? Wow! Can anyone say 'suspect'? I am a very courteous mountain biker and always give way. As for your elitist attitude regarding our countryside, please look up 'mass tresspass' (clue is in the title). 3rd Party insurance? Flawed. But, I will pay it. Just tell me when you'll be standing on the trail: you'll have probably asked for it . . . *sigh*
Sadly for the majority of people that are quite happy for the open spaces of our borough to be used by all in a respectful way, they are sadly undermined by a small minority that only want to use these spaces for s certain group, and will jealously guard these areas even to the extent of criminal activity, and in agreement with the above author it appears to be mainly walkers that have this distructive mentallity to stopping other users at any cost.
the comments make interesting reading. "all bikers are to blame" contrasts with "a few idiots". Then we have "all walkers are to blame" contrasted with a few idiots. Surely the bikers and walkers simply reflect todays society - Most are law abiding but a small percentage cause havok for the majority. The small percentage being totally selfish, self centred and uncaring of anybody who gets in their way. Sadly this applies to virtually every human activity.
Put up by whom? Ramblers who think the countryside is for them only? The sort who say, we want the right to roam anywhere, but in their next breath are trying to stop others using the countryside?
Yes there are some irresponsible bikers, but there are also irresponsible ramblers/walkers. Some of whom are deliberately out to cause conflict as they see the countryside as theirs only.
PS ramblers you cause as much erosion to rights of way as everyone else. Unless you are all hovering?
Build houses on the land that will sort it.
I think you all need to calm down here! This is more than likely the work of a single individual and not a war between ramblers and cyclists!!
As a walker and a cyclist in my opinion trouble only flares when certain types of riders begin the destruction of footpaths and trees to facilitate the construction of ramps etc. A prime example was the destruction of many paths and tree's on Crompton moor.
On a similar note, whilst on the pennine way above Dovestones I witnessed motorbikes up there
You all think its ramblers/walkers that have put these traps, it could be kids "messing around". Bikers ive seen are inconsiderate always riding side by side. THIS DOESNT MEAN ALL BIKERS.
Have Your Say
It is the reckless biker idiots who have brought this on themselves. Too often have I, and many others, have see these morons almost or actually hit a walker only to screan foul abuse at the walker, they should not be biking there anyway. Wheeled traffic is for roads and no-where else, if they had to be insured for third party damages they would at least cycle more carefully
By JOHNNY @ 07/01/2013 14:14:11