In a major change to a long-standing tradition, the New York City Marathon will no longer allow cyclists to ride the marathon route ahead of the race this year. For over two decades, hundreds of cyclists have taken advantage of the closed streets to bike the 26-mile route from Brooklyn to Central Park before the official start of the marathon. However, safety concerns have pushed organizers to ban this practice.
Last year, an incident where a cyclist hit a pedestrian on the course sparked concerns about the safety of allowing bikes on the route. As a result, the New York Road Runners announced that any unsanctioned cyclists attempting to ride on the course ahead of the marathon will be diverted and removed by authorities.
The decision to ban cyclists has been met with disappointment from cycling advocates, with Neile Weissman of the New York Cycle Club calling it a “real shame.” Despite the pushback, event organizers are standing firm on their decision in order to prioritize the safety of all participants and spectators.
The 2024 TCS New York City Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, Nov. 3. With the new restriction in place, cyclists will need to find alternative routes for their pre-race rides this year.
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Photo credit www.nbcnewyork.com