June 7, 2025 Marine Park (Brooklyn), NY – A chilling incident on the Marine Parkway Bridge has left the cycling community reeling, as two riders were severely injured by a string stretched across the bike lane. Despite the horrific injuries, the NYPD has declared no criminality in the case, a decision that has sparked widespread concern and questions. This bizarre event has once again highlighted the dangers of seemingly innocuous airborne hazards and reignited calls for greater safety measures in popular recreational areas.

Cyclist Fights for Life After Throat Slashed

Robert Hillebrand, owner of Freewheelin’ Bike Tours, remains in intensive care after suffering a life-threatening throat injury. Friends report that Hillebrand’s windpipe was severed, requiring emergency blood transfusions to save his life. The attack has left him unable to speak, and his recovery is expected to take several months, impacting both his health and his livelihood.

“It was an incredible amount of blood,” recounted Joey Eisler, a friend who witnessed the gruesome scene. “It was an image that will stay with me, the look of someone who just had their throat cut.”

Jennifer Noble, another cyclist in the group, also sustained injuries, including stitches across her face and a broken finger. Both cyclists were riding from Rockaway to Marine Park when they encountered the nearly invisible menace.

Kite String or Something More Sinister? The Debate Rages

Initially, police attributed the injuries to a kite string draped across the bike lane. Jennifer Noble corroborated this, stating she saw a kite resembling those used in "kite fighting," a practice where participants use specially coated strings to cut down opponents' kites. These strings can be incredibly dangerous, sometimes embedded with glass.

However, not all witnesses are convinced. Julian Rose, a 43-year-old cook and woodworker who was riding behind Hillebrand, described the string as a yellow nylon cord and noted it was suddenly jerked into the cyclists. He also pointed out that a string was later recovered from the water by a boat, but its direct connection to the incident remains unconfirmed.

A Pattern of Peril: The Shadow of "Kite Fighting"

This isn't the first time such an incident has occurred in the area. Danny Mundy, president of the Broad Channel Civic Association, has long warned about the dangers of "kite fighting" and the resulting discarded strings littering Jamaica Bay. He recounted how his own father was injured in 2022 by a kite string to the throat while on a bike trail near Broad Channel American Park.

Mundy also highlighted the tragic impact on wildlife, with numerous waterfowl reportedly strangled by these dangerous strings. He has repeatedly petitioned the city parks department to address the issue, leading to the installation of warning signs against kite fighting, a practice explicitly prohibited in city parks. A Parks Department spokesperson confirmed they are investigating the latest incident.

The severity of these incidents is not new. In 2009, a 12-year-old boy received hundreds of stitches after being sliced by a kite string that had fallen from a kite fight.

“It's absolutely dangerous and unacceptable,” Mundy asserted. “We can't do this no more because someone is going to get killed.”

The NYPD's decision to classify this as "no criminality" has left many bewildered, especially given the severity of Hillebrand's injuries and the documented history of similar incidents. As Robert Hillebrand continues his painful recovery, the cycling community and local residents are demanding answers and more robust measures to prevent such terrifying occurrences from happening again.

What are your thoughts on the NYPD's findings and the ongoing issue of dangerous strings in public spaces? Share your comments below.