Black Cable Ties

Why do bicycle riders in Canberra have cable ties sticking out of their helmets?

On a recent holiday to Canberra I noticed a lot of cyclist's had cable ties sticking out of their helmets. Why do they do this?

Public Comments

1. Its kind of a measure to stop swooping birds..ie:- Magpies from attacking your head/helmet.. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt.. but its effective.. I have them too, and i havent been hit on the helmet since.
2. Apparently it is to deter magpies swooping you.
3. They are external antenna for Canberrans, so the mother ship can signal them. Just Kidding. They are for the magpies and the occasional Pluver birds( The dumbest bird on earth, they have wings but nest on the ground).