Cycling through the lush, scenic landscapes of northern New South Wales is usually a tranquil experience. You expect fresh air, beautiful farmland, and perhaps the occasional bird singing in the trees. You do not typically expect your bike chain to become a trap for one of the world’s most venomous reptiles.
But for one rider in her 60s, a weekend journey quickly transformed into an adrenaline-fuelled wildlife encounter that is making international headlines.
An Unexpected Obstacle on the Rail Trail
The incident took place on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail near Burringbar in the Tweed Shire. This popular path, which winds through beautiful regional farmland and dense bush, is a favourite for locals and tourists alike. At around 1:00 pm, a woman was enjoying a routine ride when she accidentally ran over a two-metre eastern brown snake.
In a bizarre sequence of events, the snake was thrown up by the movement of the wheels and became heavily entangled in the bicycle’s chain and gear sprockets. The mid-section of the reptile was tightly trapped in the machinery, leaving its upper body(and fully functional head) free to thrash about wildly.
In its pain and distress, the snake struck out, biting the cyclist on the thigh.
The “Dry Bite” Miracle
The cyclist experienced what medical professionals refer to as a “dry bite.”
In an astonishing stroke of luck the reptile failed to inject any venom into the woman’s leg. Paramedics rushed to the rural location, treating the woman at the scene before transferring her to the Tweed Valley Hospital in a stable condition. She was safely discharged early the next morning with little more than an incredible story to tell.
A Sad Conclusion for the Snake
While the rider escaped a near-fatal outcome, the situation for the snake was far more complex.
Disentangling a highly venomous, panicked animal from tight bicycle gears is an incredibly dangerous task. Emergency services and bystanders had to carefully secure the snake’s head to prevent further strikes while working to free its crushed body.
Unfortunately, the reptile sustained severe injuries from the bike’s metal components. It was also discovered that the snake had a pre-existing eye injury, which experts suggest may have been the reason it failed to see the bicycle approaching in the first place. Due to the extent of its physical trauma and the intense pain it was experiencing, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise the animal.
A Timely Reminder for Trail Users
This highly unusual event highlights a simple truth about outdoor recreation: when we build infrastructure through natural habitats, we are sharing the space with the local wildlife. The trails belong just as much to the native reptiles as they do to weekend cyclists.
For those planning to explore regional paths, this incident serves as a crucial reminder to be prepared. Wildlife experts consistently recommend carrying a heavy-duty compression bandage in your kit and familiarising yourself with basic first aid for snake bites.
You might never need it, but as one fortunate cyclist can attest, it is always better to be prepared for the unexpected.
