Construction Site Leaving Nails in the Bike Lane

[n2soccer21]

Hi all,

I ride to work every day. Within one month I’ve gotten 2 flat tires from nails from a Clark Construction site in Rosslyn while riding in the bike lane. Isn’t it illegal for them to endanger the roadway like that? Should I confront the workers or contact another authority? I’m worried about the continuing danger, but I would also like compensation for their induced expenses, of course. Should I let this go and move on or should I pursue this? Money is tight and I can’t afford a new tube ever other week.

Thanks!!!

Nick

Topic

[n2soccer21]

Well, I went up and talked to a supervisor at the site. He showed me about 5 different types of nails that they use, and none of them were the same type. In any case, I’m hopeful that they will at least watch their mess better now.

[Joe Chapline]

Welcome to the forum, n2soccer21. Sorry about the flats. It sounds like talking to the construction site supervisor went well, and maybe it will result in them trying to keep the bike lane clean. I don’t know what else you could do. I’ve heard of police going after people who deliberately try to sabotage bikes by putting tacks in the road, but I’ve never heard of any action being taken to track down people that carelessly do it.

[mrkenny83]

oh my god!!!! People actually put tacks in the road?!?!?!?!!

[Tim Kelley]

@mrkenny83 10524 wrote:

oh my god!!!! People actually put tacks in the road?!?!?!?!!

Story & video here: http://www.wendmag.com/blog/2010/05/20/vandals-throw-tacks-in-road-during-maryland-race/

[Joe Chapline]

I went on an organized road ride last summer. There were painted arrows in the road to mark the route. Someone painted over a lot of the arrows with tar, I guess to get people lost. I put my foot down in fresh tar and got it in my cleats and pedals. That was a mess. I also got lost, but that was my own fault.

[Author]

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