[Alex Benigno, an Atlanta biker, has attached magnets to his bike trailer](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2024/03/26/magnet-man-atlanta-alex-benigno/) to pick up metallic road trash (and thus reduce flat tire risks).
>[metal](https://abc13.com/debris-on-i-45-before-north-loop-at-least-a-dozen-drivers-get-flat-tires-after-hitting-tow-bar-falls-off-truck/5415343/) road[ litter](https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/dangerous-road-debris-leave-charlotte-drivers-with-flat-tires/275-455659130) is a [nationwide](https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/gil-smart/2021/03/12/nails-screws-and-other-road-debris-inflicts-major-damage-our-tires/6936052002/) [problem](https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/metal-debris-in-road-flattens-tires-of-nearly-half-dozen-cars-westlake-police-cite-truck-driver-hauling-load), often caused by nails or [other sharp objects ](https://fox8.com/news/driving-through-wayne-county-mysterious-metal-shards-leaving-many-drivers-with-flat-tires/)spilled [from trucks](https://www.cleveland19.com/2019/07/23/cleveland-fire-overturned-truck-closes-i-north-near-pershing-avenue/), and sometimes even [done deliberately](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/a-nail-bandit-has-been-littering-dallas-intersections-with-roofing-nails/). In the United States, a vehicle tire is [punctured](https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/metal-debris-scattered-on-i-94-leads-to-flat-tire-frenzy) every seven seconds, causing 220 million [flat tires](https://abc13.com/eastex-freeway-flat-tires-unknown-traffic-hazards-houston-whats-going-on-at-us-59/13388253/) a year,
Not surprisingly, it seems that 220 million figure is automobile / truck tires and not bicycles.
>About a year ago, he bought 10 strong magnets for $160 online, attached them to the underbelly of his bike trailer, then went for a ride through Atlanta late one afternoon to see how many nails, screws, bottle caps, flattened cans and pieces of metal wire he could attract. …
>
>During his first 10-mile trip with the magnets attached, the underside of the trailer picked up about six pounds of sharp metal bits.
Really not hard to imagine.
His [instagram (Atlanta Magnet Man)](https://www.instagram.com/atlantamagnetman/), [PBS (GBS) story](https://www.gpb.org/news/2024/02/21/nails-in-the-road-atlanta-magnet-man-comes-the-rescue), and a (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADkw9oo_L_c&t=1s):
Some thoughts:
* big tip of the hat to Benigno. Very good ‘be a good citizen’ engagement.
* Wouldn’t this be great if ‘supported’ by, for example, some government/non-profit funding to foster clear roads? If there were 10s to 100s of such bikers in every city?
* Regrettably, very unlikely that I’ll do even as it is something that seems great to do (and, for example, I often pick up trash when walking the dog), I (for one) don’t have a trailer. My (ebike) usage simply doesn’t require a trailer (panniers are more than enough for commuting and most showing).
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by BeSiegead
2 Comments
Lotta great weirdos in Atlanta
Kudos to this man for a great idea!