14. A Creative Way to Deter Love Locks
Continuing a trend started in Europe on bridges in Paris and Rome, lovers crossing the Brooklyn Bridge left mementos of their romance by affixing locks to the bridge’s structure. The problem with this romantic gesture is that the weight of the love locks can damage the bridge and their removal costs the NYC Department of Transportation $100,000. In 2013, over 34,000 love locks were removed. The locks caused a wire to snap back in 2016, leading to extensive delays and repairs.
To help curb the placement of love locks on the bridge, the DOT got creative with signage and paid homage to a Brooklyn staple, lox. The borough’s love of lox was incorporated it into a “punny” sign that read, “NO LOCKS, YES LOX.” Though as evidenced by this photo, it doesn’t seem to be very effective. Fun fact: In 2018, Acme Smoked Fish and Zucker’s Bagels set the world record for the largest salmon lox bagel at an event in Brooklyn.