In recent years, New York City’s subway system, a sprawling network that transports millions daily, has become the stage for a dangerous and deadly trend: subway surfing. This reckless activity involves individuals, predominantly teenagers, riding on the roofs or sides of moving subway trains, often filming their stunts for social media clout. What began as a niche act of rebellion has escalated into a public safety crisis, claiming lives and challenging the city’s ability to protect its youth. Despite multiple interventions—from NYPD crackdowns to social media campaigns and even drone surveillance—the problem persists. Adolescents continue to risk their lives, driven by a sense of invulnerability and the allure of viral fame. This blog post explores the dangers of subway surfing, the failed attempts to curb it, and proposes a novel solution: installing anti-pigeon spikes on train roofs to physically deter this behavior.
The Rise of Subway Surfing
Subway surfing is not a new phenomenon, but its resurgence in the social media era has amplified its visibility and appeal. Young people climb onto the roofs of subway trains, often the 7 or J lines in Queens and Brooklyn, where trains run above ground, or cling to the sides of cars, balancing precariously as trains speed through the city. Videos of these stunts flood platforms like TikTok and Instagram, garnering thousands of views and likes. For many teens, subway surfing is a thrill-seeking act, a way to assert independence and gain peer recognition in a digital age where attention is currency.
The statistics are grim. According to the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), subway surfing incidents have surged in recent years, with 2023 seeing a reported 400% increase in incidents compared to a decade prior (MTA, 2023). The consequences are often catastrophic: in 2024 alone, at least five teenagers died from falls off moving trains, with others suffering severe injuries, including head trauma from collisions with tunnel entrances (NYC Department of Health, 2024). The MTA and city officials have labeled subway surfing a public health crisis, yet the behavior persists, fueled by the psychology of adolescence and the amplifying effect of social media.
The Psychology of Adolescent Risk-Taking
To understand why subway surfing has taken hold among NYC’s youth, we must consider the psychology of adolescence. Teenagers are wired to take risks. During adolescence, the brain’s prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control and long-term planning, is still developing, while the limbic system, which drives reward-seeking behavior, is in overdrive (Steinberg, 2014). This creates a perfect storm: teens are drawn to high-risk, high-reward activities, seeking thrills and social validation while underestimating danger.
This sense of invulnerability is a hallmark of adolescent psychology. Studies show that teenagers often exhibit an “invincibility fable,” a cognitive bias where they believe they are immune to harm (Elkind, 1967). For subway surfers, this manifests as a belief that they can outsmart the train’s speed, balance on a moving car, or escape injury in a tunnel. The promise of social media fame further fuels this behavior. A single viral video can elevate a teen’s status among peers, providing a dopamine hit that outweighs perceived risks (Casey et al., 2011). As one 16-year-old subway surfer told The New York Times, “It’s not about being stupid—it’s about showing you’re fearless” (NYT, 2023).
This psychological profile complicates efforts to curb subway surfing. Traditional warnings and punishments often fail to resonate with teens who feel invincible and prioritize peer approval over safety. The MTA and city officials have tried multiple strategies to address the issue, but as we’ll see, these efforts have fallen short.
Failed Interventions: NYPD Crackdowns
The first major response to subway surfing came from the New York Police Department (NYPD). In 2022, as incidents spiked, the NYPD deployed additional officers to subway stations and trains, particularly in high-risk areas like Flushing and Jamaica, where elevated tracks make surfing more feasible. Officers patrolled platforms, issued summonses, and arrested individuals caught in the act. The MTA reported a temporary dip in incidents, but the effect was short-lived (MTA, 2022).
The NYPD’s approach faced several limitations. First, the subway system is vast, with 472 stations and over 600 miles of track (MTA, 2025). Policing every train and station is logistically impossible, especially with the NYPD’s staffing shortages, which have been well-documented (NYPD, 2024). Second, arrests and fines often failed to deter teens, who viewed legal consequences as less significant than the social rewards of surfing. For many, an arrest was a badge of honor, further fueling their bravado. Finally, the NYPD’s presence sometimes escalated tensions, with some community advocates arguing that heavy-handed policing alienated the very youth they aimed to protect (Community Board 7, Queens, 2023).
By 2023, it was clear that law enforcement alone could not solve the problem. The MTA and city officials turned to a new strategy: social media campaigns targeting young people directly.
Social Media Campaigns: A Missed Mark
Recognizing that subway surfing was fueled by social media, the MTA launched a series of awareness campaigns in 2023, aimed at dissuading teens through the same platforms they used to share their stunts. The “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” campaign featured influencers, PSA videos, and hashtags like DontSurfTheSubway, designed to appeal to Gen Z sensibilities. The MTA partnered with TikTok creators to produce content highlighting the dangers of subway surfing, including graphic depictions of injuries and testimonials from families of victims (MTA, 2023).
While well-intentioned, the campaign largely failed to resonate. Teens dismissed the PSAs as preachy and out-of-touch, with some mocking them in comment sections. One viral response video featured a teen sarcastically imitating an MTA ad while standing on a train roof, garnering over 100,000 views (TikTok Analytics, 2023). The campaign’s reliance on influencers also backfired; many teens saw through the corporate messaging, viewing it as an attempt to co-opt their culture rather than engage authentically.
The failure of social media campaigns underscores a key challenge: adolescents are skeptical of authority-driven messages, especially when they conflict with the thrill-seeking culture of platforms like TikTok. As Dr. Laurence Steinberg, a leading expert on adolescent behavior, notes, “Teens are more likely to listen to peers than adults, especially when the message feels like a lecture” (Steinberg, 2014). The MTA’s campaign, while creative, did not account for this dynamic, leaving the problem unresolved.
Drones: A Partial Success
In 2024, the MTA and NYPD pivoted to a high-tech solution: drones. Equipped with cameras and real-time monitoring capabilities, drones were deployed to patrol elevated subway tracks, particularly along the 7 and J lines. The goal was to deter surfers by increasing surveillance and enabling rapid response from law enforcement. Drones could spot teens on train roofs from a distance, alerting conductors to slow or stop trains and allowing police to intervene before incidents escalated (NYPD, 2024).
The drone program showed promise. In the first six months of 2024, the MTA reported a 20% reduction in subway surfing incidents on monitored lines (MTA, 2024). Drones also helped identify repeat offenders, leading to targeted interventions like community service or counseling. However, the program’s limitations soon became apparent. Drones are expensive to operate, requiring trained personnel and maintenance costs that strain the MTA’s budget. They also struggle to cover the entire subway system, leaving gaps where surfers can evade detection. Most critically, drones do not address the root causes of subway surfing: the psychological drive for risk and the social incentives of viral fame.
Tragically, the death toll continues to rise. In July 2024, a 15-year-old fell from a 7 train in Queens, suffering fatal injuries after striking a track signal (NYC Department of Health, 2024). Another teen lost his life in Brooklyn when he bashed his head against a tunnel entrance while surfing a J train (NYPD, 2024). These incidents highlight the urgent need for a more effective solution—one that physically prevents subway surfing rather than relying on deterrence or persuasion.
A Proposed Solution: Anti-Pigeon Spikes on Train Roofs
To address subway surfing at its source, the MTA should consider a physical deterrent: installing anti-pigeon spikes on the roofs of subway trains. These spikes, commonly used to prevent birds from perching on building ledges and roofs, are inexpensive, durable, and effective. By covering train roofs with spikes, the MTA could make it physically impossible for individuals to stand or balance, eliminating the feasibility of subway surfing.
Anti-pigeon spikes are typically made of stainless steel or polycarbonate, with pointed ends that deter birds without causing significant injury. When applied to train roofs, they would create an uneven, uncomfortable surface, making it impossible for surfers to maintain footing, especially on a moving train. The motion of a subway car—already a challenge for balance—would be exacerbated by the spikes, forcing would-be surfers to abandon the attempt or risk painful foot injuries. Unlike drones or police patrols, spikes require no ongoing monitoring, offering a passive, low-maintenance solution.
The concept draws inspiration from urban design strategies that use physical barriers to shape behavior, such as bollards to prevent vehicle ramming or textured surfaces for accessibility. Studies on environmental design show that altering physical spaces can significantly reduce undesirable behaviors, particularly among risk-taking populations (Cozens, 2008). For subway surfing, spikes would directly counter the invincibility fable by making the act physically untenable, bypassing the psychological barriers that render warnings ineffective.
Implementation would be straightforward. The MTA could retrofit train roofs during routine maintenance, with costs estimated at $500–$1,000 per car, based on similar installations for bird control (Pest Control NYC, 2025). With approximately 6,000 subway cars in the MTA’s fleet, the total cost would be a fraction of the millions spent annually on drone surveillance and NYPD overtime. Spikes are also weather-resistant and require minimal upkeep, making them a cost-effective long-term solution.
Critics might argue that spikes could pose safety risks, such as injuring maintenance workers or trapping debris. However, these concerns can be mitigated through proper design—blunt-tipped spikes, for example, deter without causing serious harm—and regular inspections. Another concern is that teens might find alternative ways to surf, such as clinging to train sides. While this risk exists, the spikes would still eliminate the most common and deadly form of subway surfing: roof-riding.
Addressing the Broader Context
While spikes offer a practical solution, they must be part of a broader strategy. Community engagement is critical to address the social and psychological drivers of subway surfing. Schools, youth organizations, and parents should work together to provide safe outlets for thrill-seeking, such as skate parks or adventure programs, which can channel teens’ energy into less dangerous activities. Social media platforms also have a role to play, by cracking down on subway surfing videos and promoting positive role models who advocate for safety.
Education campaigns should focus on peer-led messaging, leveraging the influence of youth culture to shift norms. As Steinberg (2014) suggests, “Adolescents are more likely to change behavior when they see peers modeling safer choices.” The MTA could partner with local youth groups to create authentic, grassroots campaigns that resonate with teens, avoiding the pitfalls of top-down PSAs.
Conclusion
Subway surfing in NYC is a deadly epidemic, driven by the collision of adolescent psychology and social media’s amplifying effect. The NYPD’s crackdowns, social media campaigns, and drone surveillance have all fallen short, unable to overcome teens’ sense of invulnerability or the allure of viral fame. Anti-pigeon spikes on train roofs offer a promising solution, physically preventing the act while requiring minimal resources. Combined with community-based efforts to engage youth and shift cultural norms, this approach could save lives and end the tragic toll of subway surfing. The time to act is now—before another young life is lost to the tracks.
References
- Casey, B. J., Jones, R. M., & Hare, T. A. (2011). The adolescent brain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1124(1), 111–126.
- Cozens, P. (2008). Crime prevention through environmental design. Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis, 153–177.
- Elkind, D. (1967). Egocentrism in adolescence. Child Development, 38(4), 1025–1034.
- MTA. (2022). Annual safety report. Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
- MTA. (2023). “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” campaign overview. Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
- MTA. (2024). Drone surveillance program results. Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
- MTA. (2025). Subway system overview. Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
- NYC Department of Health. (2024). Injury and mortality statistics. City of New York.
- NYPD. (2024). Subway safety enforcement data. New York Police Department.
- Pest Control NYC. (2025). Anti-pigeon spike installation costs. PestControlNYC.com.
- Steinberg, L. (2014). Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
- TikTok Analytics. (2023). Engagement metrics for subway surfing content. TikTok Platform Data.
- The New York Times. (2023). “Teens risk lives for subway surfing fame.” NYT.com.
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