Cycling in the UK is in rude health

The proof of this will be visible on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th June as thousands of cyclists are expected to ride naked through the streets of London, Brighton, Manchester, York and Southampton.

Now in its fourth year, the World Naked Bike Ride takes place in over 50 locations around the world. The ride is an environmental demonstration against oil dependency and is also a celebration of cycling and the human body.

Here’s a (rather popular) video of last year’s London ride:


Riding under the slogan “real rights for bikes”, participants cycle naked to “highlight their vulnerability on city streets and draw attention to the destructive effects of car culture.”

Riders are encouraged to go ““as bare as you dare”.”

The London event is likely to attract more than 1,000 riders, setting a new record for naked protest. Last yearÂ’ over 800 naked or semi-dressed cyclists rode through the streets of the capital for two hours. Debut rides in Brighton, York and Manchester last year were attended by 160, 60 and 30 riders respectively.

Rides in Manchester, York and Southampton will take place the day before the London ride, on the evening of Friday 8th June. The Brighton and Hove ride starts on the morning of Saturday 9th June at 10am.

Nude cyclist Emma Jackson said: “The ride is fun, but has a serious side as well. Unless we change the way we think about transport and start calling on the government to do the same, I’ll be too late. It’s up to each and every one of us to take responsibility, get on our bikes and call for real, practical action on climate change.”