This tip came in from G.H. in Victoria. Try tying a strip of old cloth to your helmet so that it flaps around a bit - it's been very successful on a couple of local magpies, completely dumbfounds them! Works in a similar way to the ribbons and streamers and as it's cloth isn't noisy. Pehaps give it a try with an old tea towel that's about to become a rag for the garage?
October 27th, 2024 By Magpie Alert
In September PieProof Pty.Ltd reached out to me and sent me their magpie proof helmet to review. After seeing their helmet appear many times in my Facebook feed I was very intrigued and eager to get my hands on the product. Swooping season is upon us so how magpie proof was it?
October 7th, 2024 By Jonny
So most years I don't get swooped this year however from the moment I leave my house till I return I get swooped constantly it's gotten to the point that I won't go out side until very late at night or if I have to during the day I have to get a lift
On a 5 minute walk to the shops I got swooped 15-16 times I've tried every route and no matter what I get Swooped
There needs to be a technology or a pheromone that the council could use to stop it happening
October 1st, 2023 By C.m
So here is my contribution about helmet modification. After reading various attack remedies here, I thought why not try some different ideas myself.
My rides are often 80k+ crisscrossing Sydney and suburbia. Maggie attacks are frequent and nerve racking but part of the outing in Spring.
Cable ties have been my "go too" over the years but alas my opponents are gaining the upper hand.
So ….
Modification 1: A bright Zetco 80 rear light mounted towards back of helmet. It lasts about 5 hours and in full strobe can be blinding in daylight.
Modification 2: Two half circle mirrors contoured and curved above the ears. The mirrors are ex computer HDD polished aluminium. Attached to the helmet with double sided velcro for quick removal. (DVD and CD's just not suitable when you start cutting the shape)
The cable ties have been shortened and minimised. Now for a ride.
September 27th, 2023 By jaytee
I have just Velcroed some old DVDs, one on each side of my helmet. The logic is that the strange reflections coming off a CD or DVD surface play havoc with the eyesight of the attacking bird. This is the same logic as bird repellent type which has the same confusing patterns....
August 27th, 2023 By Thomas B
Please use a flag when riding a bike in magpie areas......I ride a recumbent trike and have never been swooped or dive bombed.....magpies have excellent memores and will remember your face from season to season.....
They will also attack from the front not only the tear...we have experienced that..no amount of zippy ties or helmet streamers will stop a determined magpie....flags will on the rear of your bike......
July 8th, 2023 By Judith Hedrick
Sorry, no image available
I have been using an umbrella near the areas I know they are swooping - so far so good. Yes, it might look silly having an umbrella on a sunny day but its only for a few meters. It's better than being hit or losing an eye.
September 28th, 2022 By A C
I'm a regular bike rider around the Wynnum Manly and northern Redlands. I've have the fortunate experience of having magpie attacks all the time over there nesting season. What's this "fortunate"? I wear the correct PPE when on the bike. Bike helmet, protective wrap around safety glasses and finally velco-on-to-the-helmet ear protection flaps (cut out from 3 litre milk bottle). ...
September 27th, 2022 By Gary G
I'm prepared to do more night riding if it means avoiding those testosterone-infused dive bombers. Has anyone out there been swooped at night? I'm a 55-year-old man who still has episodes of being curled up in the fetal position in the shower remembering an attack when I was 10yo. It was like an attack from the movie 'Birds'.
August 17th, 2021 By Tony Terrified
When I ride, I never wear cable ties, instead I listen to the Chirp of the magpie, they make a sound before they attack, the sound is very loud, I listen to my rock music in my headphones and still hear it. Here's what to do when you hear the chirp:
1. Pause your music
2. Locate the Magpies with your eyes
3. Get of the bike and walk it
4. While walking stare at the magpie the whole time, DO NOT take your eyes of it.
5. When your 50-80m away from it, get back on your bike slowly and ride
August 13th, 2021 By Yo Gangster Gena
The tragic death of a child after it fell when its mother was attacked in a park in Brisbane reminds us that being attacked by magpies is highly distressing for some people. In an earlier era before almost universal car ownership, and far more adults, particularly mothers and older people walked around councils and territory governments used to get rid of the minority of magpies that were attacking people. We live in a more sentimental age where most people drive or are driven everywhere and people imagine magpies are a part of our natural landscape. In reality they thrive in the tree'd urban. garden rich in meat that is of our own creation. They are beautiful birds with a beautiful sound, but they should not be allowed to cause distress and force people to give up walking or cycling where they need to go. If there are magpies seriously disturbing your life or that of others, don't settle for a sign that will just encourage people to drive or drive their kids instead . Get council to move them before someone is hurt, and if there is resistance remind them of the child in Brisbane,. .
August 10th, 2021 By Peter H
Sorry, no image available
After discovering the joy of swooping birds I decided to discourage the little avians after seeing a similar home made effort. Seems to have worked the last two times through a known danger zone. You can also download and print it yourself from here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4623359
October 14th, 2020 By Rich Mitchell
When you are cycling in Yeppoon, there are two vicious magpies swooping
1. Towards the roundabout, in the trees
2. At the public access to the beach
Here are three tips to stop them killing you when you are riding...
September 14th, 2020 By Alexander E
I love my riding and this year I seem to be a magpie magnet. I was hit four times last weekend. It was a constant ambush on the back of the helmet. I found that playing music out loud on my phone sort of worked. But anyway, any experience on magpies swooping in the rain?
Tomorrow is forecast to be heavy rain, now that doesn't bother me, but does it bother the magpies? I cannot find anything online about it. Do people have experience of magpies in the rain?
September 11th, 2020 By Paddy
Hi,
We have a really aggressive magpie near our house and it swoops real bad. I have tried everything that I have seen on this site but nothing has stopped it swooping us. I have got quite a large phobia of magpies, spring or not, and I really need something to stop it or I won’t be able to enjoy riding. If anyone has anything, absolutely anything, that could help, can you please write it in the comments.
Thanks, cha cha
August 28th, 2020 By Cha cha
My suggestion is for cyclists mainly but it could work for walkers if they wear a brimmed hat which I do when bushwalking. Apparently walkers are less likely to be attacked as we cyclists are being advised to walk our bikes through the danger area....
September 18th, 2019 By teddy326
One thing that has helped me with a warning of a magpie present is that on a clear day you can see its reflection on the road surface which can be invaluable as it can buy you some time that's if it does decide to swoop.
It may just give you that one vital second or two to see the sign & take cover.
Regards
Gazza
September 1st, 2019 By Gazza
Safety tip: On my property which is large, I've fed the magpies regularly and they have no issues with me (trust has been gained). However, it's a different story when they don't know you. Crazy helmet designs just seem to make them more anxious that you are a threat. An umbrella seems to work the best as they cannot see you (the threat) from behind and they wont attack from the front. Has taken 4 years to work this out sadly via trial & error, but it's about the most efficient way of not being attacked!
August 22nd, 2019 By SR
From filming several attacks last year with a GoPro on my helmet pointing backwards, most magpies came in fast from behind and slightly to one side, aiming for one of my ears....
October 1st, 2018 By Stuart V
Day 1 of our stay in the Hunter Valley, went out for a ride but was cut short when just outside of the resort I was aggressively swooped by a magpie several times....
September 17th, 2018 By ChrisEssendon
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