For the first time in more than 20 years, New York City Marathon organizers have banned “guerrilla” cyclists from riding on the 26-mile route before the Sunday 3 November running race. The longstanding unsanctioned tradition of allowing 100s of cyclists to race along in smooth paceline groups on fully closed roads in the pre-dawn hours has been quashed.

”ANNOUNCEMENT: No unsanctioned bikes allowed on the closed TCS New York City Marathon Course. Anyone attempting to ride anywhere on the course ahead of the Marathon–starting in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn–will be diverted and removed by the authorities.” X-Twitter

In a city of 9 million people with some of the worst traffic congestion in America, the unofficial ride has been a luxury for New York City cyclists seeking a fast, spirited and car-free group ride from Brooklyn to Central Park.

The sweeping change is the result of several prior safety incidents, including groups of cyclists racing on the course in an unsafe manner. In 2021, riders cooped up from the COVID pandemic turned the ride into a race, sprinting over the route as fast as possible while ignoring police. Last year marathon course volunteers reported cyclists hit at least one pedestrian.

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