"Special report on the 11pm CBS news about ""booby trapped bike trails."" Might be worth watching."
CBS Tonight: Report on sabotaged bike trails
Wed, 09/13/2006 - 6:34pm
Wed, 09/13/2006 - 8:02pm
#1
tacks
its about the tacks on the UWS roads.
Wed, 09/13/2006 - 8:17pm
#2
road tacks
Reporter mentioned 5 Borough Bicycle Club calls and repairs at Metro bicycles from the same type of carpet tacks since labor day. Tacks are being placed on bike path on the west side from Riverside Park to the GWB. Parks dept is supposed to be sweeping more often. The tacks are bing dropped intentionally alond with broken glass. Watch out and bring spares.
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 6:39am
#3
Yikes
"""Tacks are being placed on bike path on the west side from Riverside Park to the GWB. Parks dept is supposed to be sweeping more often. The tacks are bing dropped intentionally alond with broken glass. Watch out and bring spares.""
Can you be a little clearer about the section(s) of the path you're talking about? Do you mean the stretch that starts at the south end of the sewage treatment plant?
If so, that's really disconcerting -- this part was just built, and has fences on both sides. It's a mugger's paradise. If someone were trying to trap you by causing a flat, you'd be a sitting duck with no way out. I commute via the bike path from ca. Chambers St. to 181st street and this is the section that creeps me out the most, even though it's brand new and super smooth.
Further uptown, there's so much garbage and broken glass from the out of control barbecuing that I'm not sure if throwing tacks on the path would make much difference [sigh].
As daylight dwindles, I'll probably move up to RSD past the boat basin."
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 7:15am
#4
that's what i was thinking of, when repairing a flat your very vulnerable. the glass i have seen there on the section by the sewage treatment plant, i assume was from bottle being thrown at the bicyclist from above
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 8:48am
#5
How sad that the new stretch in the 140s offers such dangers. The very fact that it is quiet and sheltered makes it an ambush risk. As a lone male running through it I could not excape the thought that this is no place for any lone cyclist or solo female runnners. I think the road alongside to the west, which was the original path, perhaps offers more escape options though I have not given it much thought as to how effective they might be if confronted.
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 9:26am
#6
Does the Parks Dept. have jurisdiction of this section?
If so then perhaps a few more officers patroling this section would be hepful.
Mon, 10/02/2006 - 5:45am
#7
"Programs like this are probably designed to ""warn"" people of potential danger, but in fact just arm the derelicts on how to become more mischievous."
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 1:56am
#8
MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY
More importantly - be careful while getting and repairing a flat. There were several instances a while back of assaults and bike thefts, esp on RSD.
A flat can delay or ruin a ride - a mugging ruins much more. Think of how vulnerable you are and be aware. Usually, hopefully, a watchful eye is a deterrent.
Be careful.
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 3:16pm
#9
I Was A Carpet Tack Victim
Click click click I hear halfway down the lovely new asphalted path that wraps the sewage treament plant at 140th Street.
I exit onto the street and pull over.
Embedded in my brand new front Conti 4000 is a tiny silver carpet tack. I pull it out and the tire collapses.
While I swap out tubes, a guy comes along walking his bike. He's clicking, he says. It's a tack I say and we find it.
Since he carries no tube, no tools and I only have 650 spares I tell him to leave the tack in.
Great he says and heads off to Fairway.
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 3:43pm
#10
When Joshua Slocum sailed around the world solo he was told by a naval officer that there were people in the Straits of Magellan who would come aboard in the middle of the night, kill the crew and steal the boat. He was told to use carpet tacks. So he spread the tacks around the deck before he went to sleep at night and swept them up in the mornings. One night he felt the boat gently rock then he heard a scream and a splash. Carpet tacks can be very effective.
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 6:21pm
#11
Point is rewared to tacks...
The problem is not the tacks, it's the loser laying them out... someone is looking to be disciplined...
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 7:35pm
#12
video from cbs
Click on the link below. In the video window (upper right of the screen ) you can see the tacks. Push play to watch the report!! ;)
http://wcbstv.com/seenat11
Thu, 09/14/2006 - 7:37pm
#13
video link
Even better! Here is the dirst video link to the CBS story....
http://wcbstv.com/video/[email protected]
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 8:01am
#14
I found the video to be a bit... tacky.
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 2:54pm
#15
now that you mention naval duties
Maybe we should have some cyclists volunteer to be minesweepers, er um check tack - tack sweepers. Yeah, that's the ticket! With a little creative effort, one can rig a line of magnets jetting out from the front fork of the wheel, hanging out beyond the front wheel of course, powered by a battery caged in the water bottle holder or perhaps a dynamo hub and.....
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 3:32pm
#16
Problem
Aluminum tacks.
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 8:17am
#17
i had black tacks
silver ? the vandal must be buying different boxes, the one in my tire was a black tack, very hard to see on the bike path
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 11:48am
#18
Tack Attack
From the TA e-bulletin:
Tack Attack
Many T.A. members have called in reporting tacks on the West Side Greenway especially near Riverbank State Park, but a few calls have indicated the problem might be as widespread as from 68th-175th Streets. Some are estimating that as many as 200 cyclists have flatted in this area in a few short weeks. The Parks Department is trying to address this problem, has reported it to the Manhattan Parks Commissioner's Office and is requesting increased PEP patrols in the area and increased sweeping of the path.
This criminal mischief cannot continue.
If you see tacks on the Greenway or someone putting down tacks, be careful, ride until you feel you're at a safe distance and call both the 33rd Precinct at 212-927-3200 and 311. Explain your location and the situation patiently (the NYPD will want to know your cross street even though you are on a greenway) and let whoever you speak with know that this is a recurring problem.
It is crucial to call both the local precinct and 311. 311 can send a page out to the Parks Department and request rapid action to sweep the path at that location and remove the tacks and the local precinct can take immediate action.
Take Action: Call 311 to report any and all hazardous conditions on greenways.
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 12:40pm
#19
they'll never stop it...
...best to take the train to the bridge and start your ride from there.
don
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 2:57pm
#20
Tacky
And with all the publicity copy cats are assured.
Sun, 09/17/2006 - 6:29pm
#21
tacks are appearing further north
bunch of people with tacks in their tires today north of 155 street. a couple other people i spoke to said they got tack flats on the bikepath north of the lighthouse.
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 9:30am
#22
What about on the NJ side? Two of us flatted on tacks in Palisades Park on Saturday, a bit before the last hill.
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 12:33pm
#23
Palisades Park?
"Are you talking about the road (Henry Hudson Dr, aka ""River Rd"") that heads down to the water in Ft Lee, passes under the bridge on it's way north, and re-emerges back at 9W just past the police station in Alpine?"
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 1:34pm
#24
Yeah, that's the road. We hit thumbtacks though, not the carpet tacks reported elsewhere, and I haven't heard of anyone else flatting in NJ. Hopefully it was an unrelated, isolated bit of mischief.
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 8:44am
#25
Something besides tacks on the path..
My friend cycling right behind me got hit with a soccer ball as we got back on the path past the sewer treatment area (135-140th???). A bunch of hooligans with nothing better to do. They threw it at her on purpose.
Agreed the new path all the way up is very nice but it gets very dodgey in places. I prefer to ride in traffic on RSD.
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 11:29am
#26
tacks x 2
Hi All,
There were tacks on the west side cycleway just before the tennis courts heading north near the george washington bridge. I scored 2... :(
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 12:28pm
#27
Dogs and the tacks
I never had a dog, but would not a number of dogs get injured from this situation? I have not heard anything about that.
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 12:43pm
#28
tack contact information
As long as tacks continue to be a problem, in addition to calling 311, I encourage people to call the local police precincts and report problem locations.
Here's a list of the NYPD precincts that cover the West Side:
20 Precinct - W.59th to W.86th St
- 212 580 6411
24 Precinct - W.86th St to W.110th St
- 212 678 1811
26 Precinct - W.110th St to W.135th
- 212 678 1311
30 Precinct - W.135th to W.155th
- 212 690 8811
33 Precinct - W.155th to W.181st
- 212 927 3200
34 Precinct - W.181st to Harlem River
- 212 927 9711
Here's a map of the precincts:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/pct/pbmnpct.html
Best,
Noah
Mon, 09/18/2006 - 1:01pm
#29
a tack can go through a shoe as well (nm)
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 8:15am
#30
shoes don't go flat?
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 1:24pm
#31
Nike Air (nm)
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 2:03pm
#32
...and nike+
"a tack can ruin your nike+ itunes setup...
for more info...go to nike+ > products > tune your run
don"
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 10:44am
#33
Correct me if I am wrong.
To get a tack through a shoe you have to step on it while it is resting flat on its head which is not the most likely position position of rest. But a rotating tire will tend to cause the tack to rotate up into an angle for easy entry.
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 2:13pm
#34
this calls for a test...
...any volunteers? :)
don
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 6:33pm
#35
ok, this is a cycling board not a running board. Enough about shoes! Unless they are biking shoes.
Wed, 09/20/2006 - 1:58pm
#36
Nike+iPod runners log 1m miles
"http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/09/20/1m.miles.with.nikeipod/
Nike+iPod runners log 1m miles
Nike today announced that runners have logged more than 1 million miles -- which is equivalent to circling the globe more than 40 times -- with Nike+iPod since its debut just 10 weeks ago. Nike+iPod is a running system incorporating the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, a wireless system that allows Nike+ enabled footwear to communicate with an iPod nano.
Data on time, distance, calories burned, and pace is stored on the Nano, which is easily accessible through iTunes to nikeplus.com. Nikeplus.com is a personal service site allowing runners to track their own progress and challenge other runners. Nike currently offers 12 styles of Nike+ enabled footwear, and promises to debut more in the future. The company is also planning new functionality for nikeplus.com, such as a route finder that will enable runners to easily map and share favorite running routes.
The good news from Nike comes on the heels of Apple CEO Steve Jobs recent announcement during Apple's special event in San Francisco, when the executive revealed that the Cupertino-based company sold more than 450,000 Nike+iPod Sport Kits in less than 90 days"
Wed, 09/20/2006 - 2:50pm
#37
Simple math?
Ya gotta smile at that Nike announcement - 450,000 kits sold, 1 million mile logged for an average of 2+ miles per kit. Even if only 1% of kit-owners downloaded their mileage to the Nike site, that's only 200+ miles per kit over 10 weeks or an average of 20+ miles per week of running. Probably just average for the avid runners who are likely to be first purchasers of these things.
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 6:56pm
#38
Looking for Anthony Danato
Hi,
I am wondering if Tony is Anthony Danato.
If not if anyone knows were he is please email me or call me at 646 734 7114.
Thanks
Ed
Wed, 09/20/2006 - 6:51am
#39
Anthony Danato
Last I heard - he was working at the Mandarin Hotel in DC.
Try contacting the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Columbus Circle. Maybe he is back in NY.
Fri, 09/22/2006 - 1:57pm
#40
Tacks on Greenway
I just called 311 to report tacks, they had no idea what to do about it and tried to tell me the couldn't help. But I persisted and they told me they'd file a complaint with DOT.
Fri, 09/22/2006 - 6:11pm
#41
Time to kill and bury this thread. It is over.
Sat, 09/23/2006 - 9:30am
#42
I just called 311 to report a dead and ovedrused thread on this board, they had no idea what to do about it and tried to tell me they couldn't help. But I persisted and they told me to call Perry R. and he would know what to do.
Sat, 09/23/2006 - 9:26pm
#43
Tack attacks still happening?
Does anyone know whether people are still flatting on the upper westside Greenway from tack attacks?
Jud
Sun, 10/01/2006 - 6:15pm
#44
I'd read and heard about thumbtacks being spread in popular City cycling routes and was perturbed. Last Saturday I became a victim - went flat on Ft. Washington, just off the GW and a few blocks from Columbia Presbyterian. My front tire penetrated by a shiny, flat-head thumb tack. It made me incredibly angry - enough to eclipse a great day of riding. I think I was so agitated at a simple flat because in my mind I could not reason a way of controlling or stopping this nonsense. The number of recreational cyclists is steadily increasing and so, it seems, is a general pent-up anger from the general population against us. The act of throwing a tack on the road is incredibly inconspicuous and, I could argue, almost impossible to police against. I also doubt that an organized effort to highlight the issue could have enough credibility to be effective. So how do we ensure that our strees are reliable for cyclists? Any ideas?
Sun, 10/01/2006 - 7:00pm
#45
catch one of these jackasses in the act and make a really good example of him!
Sun, 10/01/2006 - 7:09pm
#46
thumb tacks?
that's not the mo
Sun, 10/01/2006 - 9:30pm
#47
lots of tacks on the GW.
While riding back Saturday, there was a small group of cyclist, of which 4 had flats from tacks. There were other flats on the bridge too. No fun.
But hopefully, the hard rain washeed them away -- for now. I agree with another comments that it would be hard to catch the person(s) doing this. Sad.
Mon, 10/02/2006 - 1:52pm
#48
Protector
Aside from Specialized Armadillos (heavy but very good against punctures) there's this thing touring bikes used to have - a sort of scraper that attached with the nut that holds on the brake. It would knock off any sharp objects before they could work themselves into the tire.
Anybody here know what I'm babbling about, and where to get them?
Thu, 10/05/2006 - 8:32pm
#49
tacks still happening
I got a tack in my front tire yesterday. Don't know where, but on the greenway somewhere. My tire went flat just as I was heading into a sharp downhill turn, my bike skidded out, and I now have a badly broken right wrist that will quite possibly need surgery. I was lucky -- only hit my face on the concrete hard enough to scrape and bruise it, so I didn't get any head trauma -- but this will severely impact my life, as I am a computer administrator at a school and can now look forward to at least two months of very difficult one-handed work, physical therapy afterward, and possibly arthritis in my dominant hand.
Some people on this thread seem to think this is a mere annoyance or vandalism, and are making jokes about it. It is much more than an annoyance, and very important to take seriously. This is assault, plain and simple. Bikers are very susceptible to injury in a fall, and some lunatic is trying very hard to make us fall. This is no different from shooting out car tires on the highway, only cars have more tires and a steel cage around their passengers.
I will be going in to a police station to make a formal complaint, as they will not take one over the phone. I strongly urge others to do so as well. This problem isn't going to stop itself, and I'm not the only one who's going to get hurt. Maybe if we make enough noise the police and others will take this seriously, and we can prevent far worse injury to someone else.
-SDC
Fri, 10/06/2006 - 5:15am
#50
Where was the location of your accident? (nm)
