Have any of you done or have heard of someone who has participated in the world naked bike ride event?

[Unstoppable20]

There is one happening near me soon and i was thinking about participating. I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were on it.

[Red_Arrow]

Yes. I had not heard of it when a friend mentioned that she and a group of her friends were participating that year. Sounded like fun so I decided to participate. It began at an area that had been cleared of buildings for years, so it was big enough for the thousands that rode in the event. Only the starting point was publicly announced (or how else would the riders know where to begin) and the rest of the route was known only to the organizers and the police, who led the group to keep cars from trying to cut through and endangering the riders. So quite obviously nobody was arrested for being nude. Seat covers were sold to keep the seats free of anything not wanted on them. Helmets and shoes were highly recommended.

Many bicycle riders are injured while riding to work, on errands, for pleasure, by drivers who pay no attention to the bikes that are sharing the road. The purpose of the ride is to encourage travel without polluting, and also to be more aware of the cyclists when driving. Riders often have signs like, "Can you see me now?"

There is no way to prevent people, those in the ride and those who see it, from taking pictures. The local news media interviews riders before the ride, and they obviously are careful to not show what should not be seen on TV while showing enough that viewers know that the riders are nude.

One year our art museum was having a showing of different bicycles over the years and the many variations of bikes. So the starting point of the ride that year was at the museum, and those who went into the exhibit prior to the ride got free admission. It is located adjacent to park blocks, so plenty of room for people to gather.

At least for a couple of rides, cameras were installed overhead looking straight down and a professional group that counts participants attending all kinds of events, many of them political, officially counted the number participating at over 10,000 riders. The length of the ride varies but usually is around 10 miles.

[DrPepper12]

Sounds fun but youd better have a good padded seat!

[Sirenboobzilla]

Closest one to me is the Philly event.

A few of my friends have done it. My parents did it like 14 years ago.

I've been invited to it, but I've never participated. Not because I don't want to, but it's honestly not in my "I need to do this" list. Usually something better comes up and I end up going to that instead. Last year, for example, I was invited by a friend that was planning to go. I was considering it and even prepared to buy a cheap bike for the event. My grandma ended up wanting me to go to Czechia for the summer to celebrate my college graduation so I went over there for 3 months.

From conversations with people who have gone, they said it wad a fun time. That it's a far more relaxed even than the media makes it out to be.

Will I this year? Not with this heat wave!

[Red_Arrow]

Rides here usually begin in the evening. Still light enough to ride without lights, but cooler. Riding warms you up so it can get uncomfortable. My first year a light rain began near the end of the ride and it was extremely welcome.

[SueShe]

No thank you. I am not into pornography and that bike ride is just about that.

Furthermore, how hygienic is that when you sit on the saddle with your bum with its thousands of microscopic feces remnants. You are just leaving the door open for bacterial infection to those that will use that disgusting saddle after being used by a person riding naked on it.

The thought alone makes me want to vomit. How can people be so careless and think it is something normal. Furthermore, you will practically force to have children look at that display of ugly flesh.

I wonder if those perverts could not be sued for pedophilia!

[Unstoppable20]

It’s actually not about pornography. There is no sex involved. It is about residing awareness for cyclists. I am visually impaired and am forced to ride a bike everywhere. Motorists do not pay an ounce of attention to cyclists. The event is made public so people are aware of when and where it is happening. Therefore, if a parent is worried about their kids seeing “ugly flesh” then just stay away. I highly doubt they would be able to sue.

[SueShe]

So why not make it a normal rally where people are fully dressed and not something where perverts will go gawking in the hope to catch nude females?

[SueShe]

furthermore, those perverts and voyeurs will likely take their cameras and smartphones and make sure that they take shots of the genitals and breasts of women.

[Unstoppable20]

Cameras and phones are prohibited. That will probably lead to the individual getting arrested.

[SueShe]

I still don't see the purpose of doing such a rally naked when you can do it fully clothed and with the necessary protective gear.

Whoever came up with something like that is a voyeur and pervert because it does not raise awareness more than if people were dressed.

[Unstoppable20]

You can think what you want. It actually does bring awareness. For example it gets yearly news coverage in my area.

[SueShe]

I hope it is without pictures otherwise they would be arrested...

[Sirenboobzilla]

The WNBR was started in Europe in 2001 as a harmless way to protest fossil fuels. It spread out worldwide 20 years ago. Only reason it's done naked is to get people to notice; for the publicity.

[SueShe]

@Sirenboobzilla and none of those people standing by are taking any pictures of the genital area I presume.

And that is exactly why I associate this rally as pornography and not so much as a protest run.

The aim may be commendable but the means is wrong. You can still do that rally fully clothed. It would have the exact same effect but without the temptation and the deviance that is associated with it. Why always mix pornography/nudity with an event that is aimed at drawing the attention onto an actual topic?

It is nothing more than plain voyeurism and exhibitionism. Do you think that those voyeurs that take pictures will leave their children at home? Of course not.

[Sirenboobzilla]

Not arguing. Just stating the reason for its existence.

[Anonymous]

Naked bike ride doesn’t sound good when you hit a bump, fellow men will know the pain I’m referring to….

So, if I were to participate…. Probably would be wearing at least a jockstrap & cup for my personal protection.

[matchrestore]

It's on my bucket list. I do know a few people who have participated, and they said it was a great experience.

[OneViewpoint]

Make sure you clean those bike seats really well afterward. Ewwww!

[abc--123]

I'm a nudist and know people who have done it. I personally haven't as you can't control people taking photos of you and posting them online without your permission

[Alex-Snow]

I would love to try one...

[In_Trance]

No...