World Naked Bike Ride takes place every year in many cities of the world, where people ride their bikes naked to celebrate cycling and their bodies. People strip off their clothes because a naked ride is supposed to symbolize the vulnerability of cyclists on the road. Hundreds of cyclists ride naked every year to make a statement and to demonstrate body freedom. World Naked Bike Ride gathers more than 1000 riders, being a popular, peaceful, and legal public protest.
Location and Route
Naked Bike Ride London starts in the afternoon at five different spots: Tower Hill, Regents Park, Croydon, Clapham Junction, Wellington Arch, and Kew Bridge. The start point for participants needing an accessible option will be at the northeast entrance to St John’s Church Gardens. This rear entrance of the gardens is accessible, with only a minimal curb. Riders can choose between a shorter or a longer ride. All routes merge to Westminster Bridge and take riders to their finish point at Hyde Park. The race finishes at about 5:30 pm.
Rules of the Ride
The WNBR London has been held since 2005, and local law enforcement is aware of the protest and supportive of activists' rights. Even though the protest is legal, participants have to maintain the non-aggressive and lawful nature of the campaign. Riders are not supposed to block roads, move too slowly, cause damage, or leave garbage after themselves.
Clothing is optional on this ride, but participants are encouraged to wear shoes for safety reasons. Riders can decorate themselves with body paint or wear some fancy dress or funny costumes following the event’s carnival spirit. Naked Bike Ride welcomes all kinds of bikes: fixies, electric bikes, tandems, or chariots. WNBR organizers don't provide a facility to store participants' belongings during the ride, so having a backpack or a bike basket for clothes storage is a good idea.
Photography
Participants should expect to see a lot of photographers and many passers-by with cameras and phones filming the event. Even though it might be uncomfortable for some riders, it's important to remember that it's legal to photograph in a public place.
WNBR assists media and photographers, however, the participants’ privacy has to be respected as well. Images of individual riders should only be taken with their consent. Group images should not be blown up to feature people without their consent. WNBR doesn't approve of photographing people undressing, dressing, or standing around waiting.
Afterparty
After the ride, participants can gather for flag-making and afterparty. Clothing-optional flag-making meet-up is announced on the WNBR website on the eve of the ride at a pub. The afterparty is held at a London club.
