Cyclist suffers serious injuries after wire "recklessly" tied across a cycle path

A man has been left seriously injured after a wire was deliberately tied across a cycle path in the Newcraighall area of Edinburgh – the second incident of this nature this month.

Police have received two reports this month of wire being tied across the Newcraighall public park cycle track.

On the mornings of Sunday, March, 7, and Wednesday, March, 17, police received reports of wire being tied to fences, crossing over the Newcraighall public park cycle track.

Nobody was hurt in the first incident, however a 47-year-old cyclist suffered a serious injury after colliding with the wire and falling off his bike in the second.

Chair of the Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders member group of Cycling UK, Janet Ironside, said: “I’m absolutely horrified, it’s criminal, it could easily be fatal.

"Someone who does something like that, you really hope they don’t understand the consequences of their actions because to do something like that is absolutely appalling.

"The Newcraighall track is narrow, but it’s an official cycle track and it is well used, I’m just really horrified and I’m going to be warning everybody in my cycling group to watch out.”

Police are now appealing for information to help identify who is responsible for these “reckless and selfish” actions.

They are also warning cyclists in the area to take care.

Sergeant Kirsty McArthur said: "Tying wire across a path is a completely reckless thing to do. It would have been almost impossible for anyone to see the wire, particularly cyclists approaching at speed.

"This careless and selfish behaviour will simply not be tolerated and I am appealing to anyone who may have information in connection with these acts to come forward.

"If you were travelling on the cycle path at these times, please think back to try and remember if you saw or heard any suspicious behaviour.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1559 of March, 17.”

Sergeant McArthur issued a warning to those cycling on the path to be cautious of potential similar incidents.

If you do notice anything suspicious you should contact police on 101 as soon as possible.

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