Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
War On Cyclists: Someone Scattered These Tacks On Queensboro Bridge Bike Path
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 2, 2012
Modified Oct 2, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 2, 2012
Modified Oct 2, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Hundreds of metal tacks placed on the Queensboro Bridge bike path gave several cyclists flat tires during their commutes this morning. Joshua Weitzner, who was biking to work in Manhattan noticed two cyclists with flats at the top of the bridge. "As I neared the bottom, there were two other cyclists standing there, one with a flat, screaming "TACKS TACKS TACKS!" Weitzner says. "The bulk of [the tacks] were right before the hairpin turn at the end of the bridge, which is a particularly dangerous place to get a flat."
Weitzner, who has been a bicycle messenger for 13 years, says he and around 10 other cyclists stopped to pick up the tacks, and as he did so another cyclist arrived with three tacks in their front tire. "I'm fairly positive this was a malicious act from the hands of idiot kids or a pissed off jogger."
Back in July, a slew of tacks were dumped in Central Park in what appeared to be an effort to deter cyclists from riding in the park. Spreading tacks on the ground, much like salting the earth or peeing all over someone's bathroom, is a dick move best reserved for mustachioed cartoon villains, not productive members of society.
We've contacted the DOT, which is perpetually doing work on the bridge, to see if the tacks are construction-related. Of course, as miserable as a flat tire is, we'd take it over a flying brick to the head.
Tagged
59th street bridge
bike lanes
queensboro bridge
war on cycling
original
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 27, 2026 at 11:14 p.m. ET
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
News
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .