VicRoads is frustrated they cannot find the person responsible for dumping tacks on a popular cycling route through the Melbourne suburb of Kew over the past two years.

The tacks are dropped in different areas making it hard to predict where they will be dumped next.

VicRoads crews regularly sweep the streets with magnets to remove the tacks and sometimes collect hundreds of them in any one day.

Police are continuing to investigate but cannot find the person responsible.

VicRoads spokesman Aidan McGann said it was a frustrating problem and the roads agency had spent well over $100,000 last year alone sweeping the roads with magnets to pick up the tacks.

"Whoever's doing this is trying to send us a message and disrupt the use of this important key facility for the community," he said.

"We're determined to ensure that it is available as a safe place.

"It is an incredible frustration for everyone."

Angry cyclists have held a number of protest bike rides in the area to gain publicity for their plight and are demanding CCTV and street lights be installed.

Their anger has sparked a social media campaign called #noboulietacks.

But they are not the only ones being affected.

"We've had reports of car drivers getting multiple punctures to the point that it was towed away," Mr McGann said.

"We've had dogs with tacks in their paws. We've had a number of people suggesting it's even led to motorcyclist punctures.

"You can imagine the risk that poses for a road user travelling at high speed."

VicRoads is conducting regular patrols along Kew Boulevard to clean up the tacks. ( ABC News )

The Boroondara Council has put in bicycle pump stations to help those who get punctures but that has not deterred the perpetrator.

There have been other isolated cases of tack attacks in the past, but nothing so sustained.

"This is not a joke. This is a serious risk to road users and we're very determined to have it stopped.

"This is not a trivial exercise and it's costing real money to the community."

He said installing street lights would have a negative impact on residents and it would be up to police to install CCTV to catch the perpetrator.

Anyone who finds a tack or suffers a puncture should report it to VicRoads.