Councilman: 'Criminal vigilantes' put tacks in bike lanes

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - A dangerous stunt in the controversial bike lanes in one part of Queens has angered cyclists and outraged the councilman who represents the neighborhood.

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer tweeted photos of tacks found in the bike lanes on 43rd Avenue Between 42nd and 47th Streets in Sunnyside. Van Bramer said a man biking with his children rode over the tacks and got a flat.

"This represents a new low and a violent and dangerous turn by those opposed to the bike lanes," Van Bramer said in a statement, which he also tweeted. "Let me be clear: the bike lanes are not going away. I support them."

While some reports indicated that the NYPD is investigating, Lt. John Grimpel told Fox 5 that "officers spoke to the complainant" and determined that there is "no crime at this time." He added that neighborhood officers would keep their eyes on the location.

But Van Bramer called the incident a "criminal act of vigilantism."

"Clearly it was done intentionally to sabotage cyclists and damage their bikes," the councilman said.

Queens Streets for All, which opposes the bike lanes, said no one its group is responsible.