Series of cyclist injuries on Marine Parkway Bridge possibly connected to mysterious string
Police say a teenage boy was riding his bike when he cut his neck last week.
Jul 29, 2025, 10:40 AM
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Multiple cyclists have been injured in the past few months riding over the Marine Parkway Bridge pedestrian path, according to police.
Police say back in June, 2 cyclists were riding on the bridge when a kite string was draped across the bike line.
It caused one rider to cut their neck and the other to cut their face and hands, sending them both to the hospital.
When cyclists like Elchonon Messner heard about the incident, he said it was concerning.
“That would be deadly, I’m assuming it would cut through you at that speed. It could also knock you over the bridge," said Messner.
Police say a teenage boy was riding his bike when he also cut his neck last week. While it's unclear if this incident was connected to a kite string, police believe there is no criminality involved in any of the incidents.
News 12 spoke with cyclists like Gregory Beltre, who says it's something to look out for.
"It is a little bit concerning. However, we as cyclists, we should also be mindful of our surroundings and be careful at all times of where we're going and make sure there's no obstacles that could potentially harm us," said Beltre.
While the bridge has signage urging cyclists to walk their bikes over the bridge, News 12 crews went to the bridge and observed most people ride their bikes anyways. Even still, people like Donnell Harris say the pedestrian path part of the bridge could still benefit from some safety improvements.
“More lights throughout the nighttime, a little more patrol, and just slow down New York, slow down," said Harris.
Aaron Donovan, a spokesperson for the MTA told News 12 in a statement "Though no unsafe conditions were detected on a canvass following a report of a cyclist encountering an obstacle while biking, MTA Bridges and Tunnels has increased patrols of the Marine Parkway and Cross Bay bridges.”
