No, this is NOT the time for zebra crossing jokes!
CYCLISTS must always be on the lookout for unexpected hazards on the road – but even the most alert would never anticipate a stray zebra dashing into their path.
These amazing pictures capture the moment a mountain bike rider nearly suffered a catastrophic collision with one of the animals as he raced down a rocky track.
The zebra had peeled off from its herd and careered into the cyclist’s path – but luckily it galloped past in a cloud of dust a split second before the shocked rider arrived, leaving both thankfully unscathed.
The shots were taken in South Africa by photographer Zoon Cronje while he was covering the annual 480km Cape Pioneer Trek cycle race.
He said: ‘It was a strange combination of shock and fear of someone getting hurt mixed with the excitement of knowing you are capturing a unique moment. A zebra is a large animal, and at pace it would obliterate a cyclist.’