A woman cycling across Hangzhou’s Fuxing Bridge was slashed across the neck by fishing line left by anglers. Though severe, the wound missed critical structures like the trachea and carotid artery.

Social Context

Recreational fishing in urban waterways is regulated under China’s 2022 ‘Urban Waterfront Safety Ordinance’, mandating designated zones, line retrieval requirements, and fines for abandoned gear. Hangzhou’s West Lake scenic area has deployed ‘fishing line patrols’ since 2023 following similar near-fatal incidents.

Safety Tip

Wear high-visibility, cut-resistant neck gaiters when cycling near water bodies; report abandoned fishing gear to municipal hotlines (e.g., Hangzhou 12345) for rapid removal.