The amateur New York Cycle Club filed a lawsuit in February against New York City challenging enforcement of a new law that drops the speed limit to 15 miles per hour in Central Park, the most popular venue for racing cyclists to train and compete on in the city of 8.5 million residents.
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) invoked Sammy’s Law in mid-December 2025, reducing the speed limit for cyclists in Central Park from 20 miles per hour down to 15.
The move did not go over well with competitive minded cyclists who claimed the change posed an existential threat to their high-level training.
Additionally, the club argued that Sammy’s Law does not apply to bicycles, noting if it did cyclists would have no option but to train on the dangerous and traffic filled streets of New York City.
NYC DOT spokesperson Vin Barone summarized the city’s position on the matter in comments to Streetsblog NYC, “The new speed limit in Central Park—which applies equally to bikes and essential vehicles—aligns with the speed limit for e-scooters and e-bikes on city streets. This new speed limit reduces confusion, promotes safety, and helps ensure the park remains a comfortable place for everyone—from families and runners to daily cyclists. We are confident in this policy and look forward to defending it in court.”
On Wednesday 26 February New York Cycle Club won their preliminary court hearing, with state Supreme Court Judge Nicholas Moyne granting a temporarily restraining order blocking the city from reducing the bike speed limit in Central Park to 15 miles per hour.
A full hearing is to be scheduled on the matter where both sides may present their case and Judge Moyne issues a final decision.
Until then, it is racing and training as usual in Central Park, with Century Road Club Association hosting their first club race on 14 March.
Photo Credit: Bicycle Racing Pictures
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