NYPD Parade Permit Row

AllWaysNY reminds you to get to biking with your fifty of your closest friends before you’re breaking the rules–and while you’re at it, explore a great interactive map (above) of bike routes at NYC Bike Maps.

The Police Department recently announced its new rules regarding public assembly (fifty or more and you need a permit whether you are walking, biking, driving, or riding or herding animals) on city streets to take effect February 25th. The move comes months after the NYPD was criticized for trying to peg it at even lower than fifty in their attempt to curb (among other things) Critical Mass bicycle rides (judges tended to throw out the cases of the Critical Mass arrestees since the rules on the books were vague about what constitutes a parade). Strong opposition to the changes remains in some quarters, however, if the City Council does not act on the matter, you’re going to find many worried walking tour operators and funeral directors. If you get caught “parading” without a permit after the 25th, you may face a maximum of ten days in jail and a $25 fine.

Below is a portion of the announcement in the City Record regarding the rule change by the NYPD:

Notice of Adoption

Revision of Chapter 19 of Title 38 of the Official Compilation of Rules of the City of New York

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN the Police Commissioner by Section 435 of the New York City Charter and in accordance with the requirement of Section 1043 of the New York City Charter, that the Police Department hereby amends Chapter 19 of Title 38 of the Official Compilation of Rules of the City of New York. New material is indicated by underlining. Deletions are indicated by brackets.

Written comments were accepted concerning the rules and a public hearing was held on November 27, 2006 at 1 Police Plaza, New York, New York 10038 commencing at 11:00 A.M. Written comments and a tape recording or oral comments received at the hearing were available for public inspection between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. at 1 Police Plaza, Room 1406, New York, New York 10038.

Section 1. Subdivision (a) of section 19-02 of Title 38 of the Official Compilation of the Rules of the City of New York is amended to read as follows:

(a) A “parade [or processional]” is any [march, motorcade, caravan, promenade, foot or bicycle race, or similar event of any kind,] procession or race which consists of a recognizable group of 50 or more pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, or other devices move by human power, or ridden or herded animals proceeding together upon any public street or roadway …

It continues, but you get the drift. March 30th is the date of the first scheduled Critical Mass ride after the new regulations go into effect, so stay tuned!