Haligonian cyclists upset with tacks in bike lane

Someone may be unhappy with the new cycling traffic on Halifax’s Windsor Street.

After the opening of the new bike lane on Monday, cyclists this week have been finding thumbtacks along the path between Almon and Liverpool Streets.

Three cyclists have reported flat tires as a result of the tacks, but sweeper trucks have since been sent out to clear the path of debris. This seems to have cleared up the issue, but cyclists are worried that someone had malicious intent by spreading the tacks, an act which could put both drivers and cyclists in danger.

There were many complaints on Twitter about tacks being found along the bike lane.

Ben Wedge, co-chairman of the Halifax Cycling Coalition, believes that if someone has a problem with cyclists or the bike lanes they should call the police.

“From our side, this is a pretty surprising thing,” Wedge told the Chronicle Herald. “I knew there was going to be a little bit of push back, but to see that someone is doing a direct action that’s unsafe, that’s pretty surprising.”

The bike lane was approved after the HCC circulated a petition to install the bike lane which received 1400 signatures in Nov. 2010.