Court Halts Annual Broadway Bomb Skateboarding Race Through Manhattan

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The plans for a massive skateboard race along Broadway has officially come to a halt thanks to a court order, but that may not stop participants from hitting the streets.

Late Thursday, the New York State Supreme Court granted the city's request for a temporary restraining order that prevents the Broadway Bomb from continuing without a permit.

WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reports

A message on the Broadway Bomb Facebook page states Saturday's race has been cancelled and the event's organizer, 43-year-old Ian Nichols, has relinquished all responsibility.

EXTRA: Read The Court Order (pdf)

However, some skaters may still race the eight miles down to Wall Street despite the court's ruling.

"We are going to flash mob 116th Street and Broadway at 11:50AM and Start the Race at 12:00PM exactly," the Facebook message continued.

Nichols said he's not promoting the possible flash mob, but wouldn't be surprised if participants went through with it.

"A lot of people came here from around the world and expected to race and it was such short notice that they may go ahead and try to do something," Nichols said.

The event has been held since 2002.

"We just wanted to have something that simulated the experience of skating through New York," Nichols said. "It's become immensely popular on a worldwide scale."

Last year, 1,000 skateboarders participated and nearly 1,800 signed up to take part this year.

In past events, the city claims Broadway Bomb neither sought nor was granted a parade permit, which is required by law.

"It is imperative that people abide by the City's parade permitting requirements, especially in a race of this nature," city attorney Christina Hoggan said in a statement. "It enables the New York City Police Department not only to ensure the safety of the race participants, but of the public at large."

The city claims the riders have engaged in reckless and dangerous behavior including failing to stop for red lights, and  cutting off and weaving through traffic and people.

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