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PARKS Victoria rangers will investigate reports of string tied across dirt roads in a West Bendigo bush reserve.
The man who found the string believed the string had been set up as a trap for cyclists.
Parks Victoria area chief ranger Karen Doyle said in the interests of public safety anyone who sees a hazard in a park or reserve should report it to Parks Victoria immediately.
Where appropriate the matter should be reported to Victoria Police, Ms Doyle said.
Earlier:
A GOLD prospector fears twine strung across dirt roads in Bendigo parkland could have ripped cyclists off their machines.
The man found the string stretched at neck-height between trees across a track in a West Bendigo bush reserve on Wednesday morning.
The man - who wished to remain anonymous - cut the string in half when he found it, so it was not across the road. He had been in the reserve - the Royal George Company H.A. - gold prospecting.
The man said he cut about six lengths of string, spread along about 20 metres on a downhill stretch of road.
He said the string was thin enough that it would almost be invisible to anyone coming around the corner and down the hill. He said it was about neck-height for anyone walking or riding a bike.
The man said the road was regularly used by people on bikes, both cyclists and motorbike riders.
"It definitely would have been enough to rip someone off their bike, that's for sure. I don't think it would have snapped if you hit it," he said.
"They were definitely set up to catch cyclists. There's no doubt about it."
The man said it was the first time he had seen anything like this, despite being in the bush regularly.
The matter has not been reported to police.
Lengths of string several metres long were attached to a number of trees in the parkland when the Bendigo Advertiser visited the site.
It appeared to be kitchen string, tied around trees by the side of the road.
Parks Victoria has been approached for comment.
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