Newark residents rushing to their jobs said they were surprised to see a man walking and then bicycling across a high wire above the city's downtown area, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported.

Some of those Newark residents could only speculate at the true risks of the 135-foot-high activity.

"There could be a wire in the back ... it would be silly to do it without a wire," school French teacher Jean-Claude Boisnier said.

"I would do it if there was a big air mattress at the bottom," bystander Joe Sparks, 27, offered.

The Star-Ledger said Wednesday's public spectacle by Nik Wallenda was to promote an upcoming event that will mark the first Newark appearance by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Biley circus group in 52 years.