Three cyclists were arrested and another 44 issued tickets Friday night in the first Critical Mass protest since the police department's new parade permit rules went into effect last month.

Under the new rules, groups of 50 or more cyclists need police permission to ride together on public streets. The group did not have a permit for Friday's protest, prompting police to make arrests.

Critical Mass is a bike advocacy movement whose members participate in periodic group rides around the city. Members say they are not a formal organization, and that their gatherings are spontaneous events that do not require the permision of city authorities.

Police say one person was arrested Friday for disorderly conduct, one for obstruction of government property, and charges for a third suspect were to be determined.

City Councilmember Rosie Mendez was among those risking arrest by riding.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said earlier that the law would be enforced.

"We want the people who participate in these demonstrations to adhere to the law. Now a new regulation as far as parade permits are concerned, if they have a permit, there will be no problem,” said Kelly. “If they don't have a permit and they violate the law, there could very well be arrests or summonses."

Earlier in the day the group met in Union Square Park to speak out against the new regulations. Activists say the new rules were specifically designed to target the group.

"What this is all about is the police department trying to get Critical Mass,” said Normal Siegel, a civil rights attorney. “They've been trying to get Critical Mass ever since the Republican National Convention and they have failed in the courts, so now they've promulgated and redefined what a parade is to suit their purpose and their purpose is to get Critical Mass."

Police claim the riders illegally congest traffic and create a public disturbance.