“Pranksters” who tied a garden hose across a street, clotheslining and seriously injuring a cyclist on an early morning ride, have been labelled cowards and criminals by a cycling advocacy group.

Queensland Police said a 56-year-old man was riding along Goonawarra Drive in Mooloolaba about 5.40am on Sunday when he ran into a hose tied to garden stakes and trees across the street at chest height.

“He was unable to see the hazard due to low light and fell from his bike,” a police spokesman said.

The man was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with a broken collarbone and fractured ribs.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage said it was a “shocking trap” and a grave violation of community standards.

This rider could have been killed. The person who set this trap is a coward and a criminal,” Ms Savage said.

“I’m sure the whole Queensland community would join me in condemning this behaviour in the strongest terms.

The hose was strung across the street at chest height, police say. Photo: Queensland Police

“Those responsible deserve to be punished – deliberately endangering the lives of others is a serious criminal offence.”

She said all Queenslanders “should be able to walk and ride our suburbs without being afraid of death traps.

“Shame on the person or people who set this trap.”

Transport and Roads Minister Mark Bailey condemned the act “in the strongest possible terms”.

“This premeditated act was designed to cause injury and trauma to road users,” Mr Bailey said.

“The road toll and crash hospitalisations are difficult enough to eliminate without deliberate acts to cause road crashes.

“I send my warmest wishes to the cyclist injured and hope sincerely our police investigators find the perpetrators and take appropriate action against them.”

Signs, scaffolding also moved onto roads: police

Acting Sergeant Scott Quinlivan said police were treating the incident as a serious matter.

“The Sunshine Coast is an area that is used heavily by cyclists … it’s sad to see something like this causing injury to a person that was out enjoying the day,” he said.

Acting Sergeant Quinlivan said more things were reportedly placed on nearby roads last night and were investigating if they are linked.

“We have had reports of neighbouring streets where real estate signs and scaffolding have been moved from sidewalks onto the roadway.”

Police are looking for witnesses and are asking local residents for any CCTV or dashcam vision depicting anything suspicious.

Earlier this year, cyclists in Brisbane believed they were the victims of “mantraps” after damaging their bikes on handfuls of thumbtacks spread out along their favourite riding spots.

Tacks found on a road in Brisbane earlier this year. Photo: Tracey Yatras

–ABC