Product reviews
Words by: Nat Bromhead
Like many bike riders, I have a love/hate relationship with one of Australia’s most iconic birds, our dear feathered friend, the magpie. When at home, two adorable maggies visit at around 9 or 10 most mornings – one even occasionally tapping her back on the glass door. Walk outside, and within moments, one will sweep in, land nearby, and follow me around in the hope of getting a snack. Yes, they can act like pets … but the poor maligned maggie also seems to have a sinister side. Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) are native to Australia and an iconic songbird. They are characterised by their distinctive black-and-white plumage and familiar carolling song. They have incredible memories and a lot of personalities, can be hilariously playful and are cheeky. But … (imagine Jaws music for a moment) …not only do they sometimes attack, but some can be absolutely relentless, ambushing unsuspecting riders and not stopping ’til they draw blood. Come Spring, every region has hundreds of ‘Magpie Alleys’ – known red zones where attacks are a dead-set certainty. Where are these places? The crowd-sourced website www.magpiealert.com goes into overdrive around this time of year – we’d recommend checking it out and adding any data you may have. One location that consistently haunts me, along with thousands of others, is the exceptionally awesome Brisbane Valley Rail Trail—without a doubt one of the nation’s best trails. However, it is notorious for magpie activity, particularly between August and October. Many BVRT riders have devised their own anti-magpie tricks – silver tape on the back of a helmet, vertical cable ties, eyes painted on the top of the helmet, the list goes on. I even met a guy who’d fitted a heavy-duty party blower to his helmet – upon hearing the telltale flutter of wings, he blows into the tube, the horn sounds and up pops a plastic roll scaring the bejesus out of said attacking magpie. Why Is It So? Maggies swoop during their breeding season purely as a defence mechanism to protect their eggs and young from what they perceive to be a threat. It’s completely understandable behaviour and exactly what any other species would do in a similar situation. Yes, a small number of seriously problematic magpies have been relocated, but the fact is, we have to coexist with the maligned magpie. What Can Be Done? Enter the aptly-named ‘PieProof’ helmet, the creation of engineer and keen rider Leo Boesten. “I’ve been swooped by Magpies hundreds of times over my life,” Leo told Ride On. “Just when you start to feel comfortable under a normal bike helmet, along comes yet another bird who takes a nip at your ear or cracks you on top of the head through a vent to shake up your confidence,” Following some nasty direct injuries and a near crash while fighting off a bird in late 2022, Leo decided to address the annual issue. Applying engineering logic to the problem, along with his lifelong cycling experience, he devised the PieProof helmet design. Leo focused on the aspects that matter—safety, weight, ventilation, and comfort. Ideally, he wanted a normal-looking helmet that offered various other features, including magpie protection. After thoroughly riding and testing out the PieProof helmet over the past three or so months, it’s glaringly apparent that Leo got it right. It is surprisingly light to hold and wear, super comfortable on the head, doesn’t look dorky, and does an excellent job of preventing direct magpie strikes. The design incorporates removable neoprene air covers that perform three fantastic functions: protecting the auricle from a strike by a sharpened beak, keeping the rider toasty warm in the cooler months, and keeping sun off the tops of the ears. These neoprene covers integrate perfectly with the helmet and are removable to help make it an all-rounder. A front sunvisor is also factory fitted, but this can be removed depending upon preference. To the rear of the helmet, there’s an in-built rear light that can be recharged via USB – a thoughtful inclusion and especially impressive given the helmet’s price point. The bottom line – finished in black or white, with replacement internal pads and a spare LED tail lamp also available – the PieProof helmet retails for just $110. Our final take? Five stars – it’s comfortable, practical, and won’t break the bank. This is a fantastic Aussie invention, and Leo has done an excellent job turning his dream into reality. More at www.pieproof.com.au
Magpie Season: Pie Proof Helmet Reviewed
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