French mountain biker Kilian Bron has been strongly criticised for riding down the wall of the Mundaring Weir near Perth. The Water Corporation has referred the matter to Western Australia Police.
“Not only is this act illegal, it is extremely dangerous and stupid,” said a Water Corporation spokesman to the Hills Gazette. “At around 40 metres, the wall is very high. While it is unlikely to cause any damage to the wall itself, trespassing onto the wall would be an extreme risk to personal safety.”
Bron was not, on the face of it, unduly troubled by the risks.
He posted a photo of himself riding down the dam to Instagram.
The spokeswoman pointed out that safety barriers and warning signs are in place because the dam is an important drinking water source for people nearby.
“To help ensure our drinking water at the source is protected, it is vital the public work with us by staying out of restricted areas of the dam, and not climb walls, fences, pipework or other operational infrastructure.”
Here’s an unrelated vertigo-inducing video of Bron riding in the Dolomites.
13 thoughts on “French mountain biker in hot water after riding down dam in Australia”
Meh. Unless there’s damage
Meh. Unless there’s damage then it’s none of the police’s business, ‘trespass’ is a civil matter but plod will spend a shit load of time on this and ignore the thousands of drivers putting people in fear of their lives including on the footway.
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Are you entirely sure that trespass on infrastructure such as this in the specific jurisdiction is a civil matter? Even in England & Wales and Scotland there are certain circumsntances in which trespass is a criminal offence
Al__S wrote:
In Scotland there are very few circumstances where trespass is a problem thanks to the excellent ‘right to roam’.
Pedestrian access to motorways and railway lines are two I know of.
What’s the effing problem?
What’s the effing problem? He was wearing a helmet wasn’t he, so no reason for Aussie plod to worry. Perhaps they could have a public campaign about how wearing a helmet while riding down a 40m high dam will not only make you safe, but save you a fine.
burtthebike wrote:
there will be a special operation because of community concerns and my guess “no bell” but in WA only a $100 fine, nearer $200 round these parts (Victoria) and yes cyclists do get fined….as said above not a civil trespass case – state laws for water catchment areas are pretty tough criminal laws and regularly enforced
I think places are getting
I think places are getting tough on trespass in the light of YouTubers like Ally Law. Lot of places trying for aggrevated trespass or breach of asbos
He rode down. I’d have been
Any fool can ride down a hill. I’d have been impressed if he’d ridden up.
Bicycles should not be
[Piss off, Vandespam — The Management]
Ooh, it’s him again. Just
Ooh, it’s him again. Just have to point out to you that this dam has nothing to do with the natural environment. It appears to me that it’s entirely man made.
ktache wrote:
He must have a new username with one post.
Hope he doesn’t use a PC with the consequential environmental damage.
My god, has Mr Vande had a
My god, has Mr Vande had a son or something he’s been posting this tripe for about 15 years now…
Interesting side note, he’s a convicted criminal.
Attacked cyclists with a
Attacked cyclists with a handsaw, give him as much respect as you would any other violent criminal.
Re Mike Vandeman (mjvande).
Re Mike Vandeman (mjvande).
Professional nutjob.