The infamous "boulie tacker", who has repeatedly ambushed cyclists on Yarra Boulevard by laying tiny tacks on the road at night, will be targeted with more lighting and CCTV as part of a $6.5 million cycling safety boost pledged by the federal Coalition.

The narrow Walmer Street Bridge across the Yarra River – also part of a busy cycling trail – would also be widened under a promise by the Morrison government.

Someone has been dropping tacks on the Yarra Boulevard in Kew since 2014. Credit:Jason South

Yarra Boulevard is one of Melbourne’s most popular on-road cycling circuits, but has also been the scene of dozens of crashes in recent years.

Hundreds of riders have had their tyres punctured by small tacks laid on the road by an unknown offender who has been intermittently active for about five years.