Bear kills motorcyclist in Romanian mountains

bbc ^ | 07/03/2025 | Mircea Barbu

[BenLurkin]

A man has died after he was attacked by a bear in one of Romania's most scenic mountain regions.

The victim, who had been riding a motorcycle, stopped at a popular tourist area on the Transfagarasan road on Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The bear dragged him down a steep ravine with an elevation drop of around 80 metres (262ft), they added.

"Unfortunately, he was already dead when we arrived," Ion Sanduloiu, head of the Arges County Mountain Rescue Service, told the BBC.

"The injuries were extremely severe. Even though he was wearing a helmet and full protective gear, it wasn't enough."

Sanduloiu said the victim had parked his bike next to a sign that warned not to feed the bears.

"My advice is simple: do not stop, do not feed them, and keep your distance," he added.

[Texas Eagle]

I’m team bear on this one.

[RandallFlagg]

When I’m riding my bike and I see wildlife with teeth and claws that’s bigger than me, that’s the signal to run like hell.

[LastDayz]

Count Bearcula strikes again.

[ComputerGuy]

full protective gear should include at least one .44

[BipolarBob]

I think ticketing the dead motorcyclist for violation of feeding the bear was excessive. There was no clear intent on feeding the bear. 100% the bears fault and that is who should be ticketed.

[Mariner]

Romania has some badassed Brown bears.

Just a little smaller than a Grizzly, and just as aggressive.

800lb males are not rare.

[shotgun]

Meals on Wheels!

[Veto!]

Love your Smokey the Bear cartoon. Stealing it.

[Night Hides Not]

I’m team bear on this one.

Trap him and move him to Yellowstone. It would be a target rich environment for him. Plenty of selfie seeking tourists for him to sink his fangs into.

[Night Hides Not]

When I’m riding my bike and I see wildlife with teeth and claws that’s bigger than me, that’s the signal to run like hell.

Hate to tell you this, but you can't run faster than a bear.

[Toespi]

That’s crafty!

[tumblindice]

Vambear!

[shotgun]

Ursa Eats

[ClearCase_guy]

“I told you so!”
— every feminist

[PGR88]

A guy I know, while biking a country road outside Salem OR, spotted a young black bear cub on the side of the road, and decided to stop to take a picture.

My immediate thought was, “that’s a stupid thing to do.”

I asked “what happened next?”

Sure enough, there was a mama bear nearby, who started to charge. He got on his bike and got away as fast as possible. Luckily for him, the mama bear did not chase him down

[RandallFlagg]

Run, as in acceleration of my motorcycle.

[Ozymandias Ghost]

“When I'm riding my bike and I see wildlife with teeth and claws that's bigger than me, that's the signal to run like hell.”
__________________

Personally, getting off your bike to run away from a bear sounds like running a zig-zag pattern to evade an alligator ...both really bad decisions.

[BradyLS]

Biker: “Wha’…Whaddaya want?!?”

Bear: “Only…you.”

[SkyDancer]

Yeah, with those loud mufflers - oh wait, mufflers? Nope.