Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Events

NYPD Public Hearing on Parade Permit Rules Changes

The Police Department is unilaterally proposing to change the City's parade permit rules (PDF) and under these new rules, the NYPD will have the power to stop any ten or more cyclists "proceeding together" if one of them breaks any traffic rules, law or regulation.

Simply put, this means that you can be arrested for the conduct of others. If you are riding around Central Park, or on any city street, and find yourself with a group of cyclists, affiliated or not, and one cyclist rides through a red light, doesn't have a bell or rolls outside of a bike lane, a police officer could stop the entire group and arrest everyone for parading without a permit.

The Police Department is also proposing that every bike ride with thirty or more cyclists must apply for a parade permit and an NYPD-approved route. If the ride does not obtain a permit or people stray from the police-approved route, even if they are obeying all laws, every rider will be subject to arrest.

Under these new rules, bicycle clubs, youth groups, health organizations and community and civic groups, even you and your friends, will have to obtain NYPD clearance for every single bike ride. It means these law abiding citizens will have to obtain parade permits for all of their group bike rides or that they will have to turn people away and cap their events at thirty people.

Voice your opposition at the NYPD's public hearing on the proposed changes.

If you plan to speak or submit written comments, write to:

Assistant Deputy Commissioner Thomas P. Doepfner
New York City Police Department
One Police Plaza, Room 1406
New York, NY 10038

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Civic Panel Dings Adams For Cutting Bike and Bus Lanes Out of Fifth Av. Redesign

Mayor Adams's scaled down redesign of Fifth Avenue isn't a "real solution" to safety issued on the packed retail corridor.

July 14, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: E-Bike Regulations Edition

Monday is a big day for the future of e-bikes in the Big Apple. Plus more news.

July 14, 2025

‘Preventable’: Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Two on Third Av. Corridor Eric Adams Refuses to Make Safer

A motorist struck and killed two men on a strip where Mayor Adams recently shelved a safety redesign amid a backlash from local business interests.

July 11, 2025

Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks

Years of bus priority projects barely made a dent in speeds because Big Apple leaders won't install real bus rapid transit, two recent reports argue.

July 11, 2025

Citi Bike Riders Are Pissed About Eric Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit

Citi Bike's new 15 mph max speed limit is a bad deal for riders and a potential threat to safety, riders said.

July 11, 2025
See all posts