The man who designed the Canberra trail where barbed wire was found strung at neck height says he is shocked anyone could endanger lives like that.
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Last week bushwalkers found and dismantled the barbed wire which was hanging across a portion of the 145-kilometre Centenary Trail near the Tuggeranong stone wall.
"By doing something like that you're really putting yourself out there. You could kill somebody, somebody could lose an eye," Anthony Burton said. "What they need to do is just take a step back and have a good hard look at what they're trying to achieve by what they're doing."
He believes the wire was most likely aimed at cyclists but said added that they are "legitimately allowed to use that trail - that's how we designed it as a multi-use trail".
He urged all users of the trail to show each other mutual respect.
"A cyclist is certainly going along there a little faster, [but] I designed it to ensure that there were really good sight lines, and it's not a racetrack, it's designed as a rolling bushwalk.
"What we should all be expecting when we use that trail is to meet other users and we're not going to have the trails out there to ourselves. It's about stopping and saying hello and everyone getting along."
Such barbed wire traps are unfortunately not uncommon, he said, although he was upset to see it happen again. He said the solution was to get more people out enjoying the trail.
"We also need to educate the community about why it's important to get out there and use these facilities and how to use them safely and what do do if they do find something like this."
A spokesperson from the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate said if people were aware of vandalism in any of Canberra's parks and reserves they should report it to Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
Unlawful behaviour can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via act.crimestoppers.com.au.
