Atlanta’s ‘Magnet Man’ getting much-deserved attention for his bike lane clean up efforts

Fed up with the constant annoyance of flat tires due to screws, nails, and other sharp metal littering the streets, Benigno embarked on a mission to make Atlanta’s roads safer for cyclists. Armed with determination and a $1,000 investment in magnets, he outfitted his bike and trailer to attract and collect these hazardous objects.

Benigno’s journey began when he stumbled upon a bag of screws abandoned in a parking lot, left unattended for hours. Witnessing the lack of action to remove such hazards, he took matters into his own hands. With a broom in hand and magnets on his bike, he set out to rid the city’s streets of dangerous debris.

Documenting his efforts on social media, Benigno’s Instagram page, aptly named “Atlanta Magnet Man,” showcases the fruits of his labor, garnering a growing community of supporters who point out areas in need of his cleanup services. Through videos and posts, he highlights the nails, screws, and other metal bits he retrieves, emphasizing the impact of his work on improving road safety.

“I just want to ride all over the city and pick up nails and screws wherever I find them,” Benigno told Fox 5 Atlanta earlier this month.

Having already removed a staggering 410 pounds of junk, including unexpected finds like a bullet and even a construction crane, Benigno’s dedication to his cause is undeniable. Recently, he donated his collected metal to a local scrap metal artist, further contributing to the city’s recycling efforts.

In addition to his hands-on efforts, Benigno launched a successful fundraiser to purchase a prototype bike lane sweeper from bikelanesweeper.com. Surpassing his initial goal of $3,500, the campaign raised a total of $4,668 from 154 donations, demonstrating widespread support for Benigno’s mission to enhance urban cycling cleanup efforts.

But Benigno’s mission doesn’t stop there. Recognizing that the problem extends beyond Atlanta’s borders, he envisions a future where urban cycling cleanup is more efficient and comprehensive. With plans to invest in a prototype bike lane sweeper capable of removing various types of debris, including glass and gravel, he aims to create a safer environment for cyclists everywhere.

And he is not alone in his efforts, earlier this year, Momentum reported on Ramez Tadros, a passionate cyclist in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood, who has taken matters into his own hands to ensure cleaner and safer bike lanes in his city.

For Benigno, this isn’t just about fixing his own flat tires; it’s about fostering a community where cyclists can ride without fear of punctures and accidents.

“I can sleep better knowing that at least some of my fellow citizens won’t have to change their tires on one of these cold nights,” he said in a video.