The group of cyclists who organize the monthly Critical Mass Bike Ride is asking the mayor to join in so he can see firsthand how they're treated by police.

They also say they are going to start a letter campaign asking the mayor for a public hearing to explain why money is being spent to police their events.

"Critical Mass happens around the world,” said Sara Stout of World Car Free Network. “It's a creative and peaceful celebration of alternative methods of transportation, it happened here in New York City for eight years before the crackdown."

"I believe if the mayor knew what was going on here, he'd put an end to it, because it's just regular people,” said cyclist John Huntington. “It's not radical anarchists, it's not people acting out, it's not people damaging property. It's anybody on a bike that's getting arrested."

The city has been at odds with the riders, saying they need a permit to conduct their monthly bicycle ride. The mayor's office is not commenting.