New York, NY —

New York's cycling community is claiming victory because the city has dropped its lawsuit against the group, Times Up. The city's battle with the group heated up over its mass rides during the 2004 Republican National Convention.

REPORTER: The city sued 2 years ago to require the group to get parade permits. Times Up director, Bill DiPaola, says the highly-publicized legal battle may have turned off some potential cyclists.

DiPAOLA: The lawsuit did drag on for a long period of time and has really scared a lot of people in the bicycle riders community.

REPORTER: The city's law department says it was never their intention to discourage riders.