Central Park & Prospect Park Training Protocol:
Racing in Central Park is a privilege granted through our long-term partnership and collaboration with NYC Parks and the Central Park Conservancy. CRCA, in coordination with other cycling and racing clubs in NYC, has agreed that all group rides will follow this protocol when riding in Central Park and Prospect Park.
Please be sure you are familiar with the below at all times, when riding/racing in NYC Parks:
Cyclists are subject to all laws, rules and regulations governing Central Park and Prospect Park at all times and shall act accordingly.
Training rides should be limited to times when the Park is least crowded (i.e., weekdays before 8am and after 8pm in the summer or 6pm in the winter)
Group training rides should be kept small (12 people max as of 2017) and take into account proximate Park user traffic.
Cyclists shall employ caution and common sense when approaching crosswalks and signal lights.
Cyclists shall always yield to pedestrians, regardless of whether they are in a crosswalk. The safety of pedestrians is paramount at all times.
Cyclists shall ride predictably at a speed appropriate to the circumstances - safe for the density of Park user traffic.
Central Park - Cyclists should be extra vigilant throughout the south section of the Park, from West 72nd Street around to the bottom of Cat’s Paw Hill north of the Boathouse, in order to maintain safety through this narrow and congested area.
Prospect Park - Cyclists should be especially vigilant at the Vanderbilt / West Drive crosswalk – this is at the bottom of a steep downhill, by the lake. It is an especially congested area.
In general, slower cyclists should stay left and faster cyclists should pass on the right when safe to do so. No cyclist may ride in the runner’s lane at any time. When passing any park users, allow several feet of clearance.
Cyclists shall employ front and rear lights before dawn and after dusk.
Cyclists shall carry valid identification.
Cyclists should be alert, courteous and aware of other cyclists who might be riding with different intentions, such as commuters, casual riders, delivery workers and tourists who do not know the rules that the park.
During sanctioned events, cyclists should not:
Ride bikes on pathways.
Disrespect other park users.
Ride in the wrong direction on the drive.
Place bikes on trees or exposed tree roots.
Relieve themselves in the landscape.
Block the recreation lane during or after the race.