Tack attacks: Cyclists targeted again on Yarra Boulevard
Kew’s notorious tack dropper – terrorising cyclists on Yarra Boulevard for the past four years is back despite the introduction of CCTV cameras, regular sweeps and a major police investigation.
Cyclist George Mihailidis told Neil Mitchell there has been fewer incidents but riders fear the offender will strike this long weekend.
“Despite all the efforts so far it’s still unresolved,” George said.
“We’ve had tack attacks, not as frequently as they have been, but they’ve continued on right through this year, with the latest last week.”
Police estimated up to 800 tyres had been punctured, costing cyclists collectively thousands of dollars.
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Senior producer Heidi Murphy told Neil VicRoads has a special magnetic mat it uses to clean up the tacks.
“They say they come out regularly,” she said.
“So far this year they’ve picked up 2000 tacks.
“Last year they picked up 12,000 tacks – at a cost of $124,000.”
“$124,000 – why??” Neil said.
“That’s the total cost of the program for that year,” Heidi said.
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Neil first broke news of the tack-attacker in May, 2016.
Police even had an image of a “person of interest” at one stage, but Neil says told one one has ever been caught.
Photo: Fairfax (George Milhailides with the tacks in 2015)