In the fourth year of this imaginative and spectacular environmental protest, The World Naked Bike Ride is to see its first event in Southampton on Friday 8 June.
On the weekend of 8-10 June 2007, in over 40 cities worldwide, people will be riding bikes naked to celebrate cycling and the human body. In the UK, the World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR, www.worldnakedbikeride.org) is baring all in London and Brighton on Saturday 9 June; and Southampton, Manchester and York the day before, on Friday 8 June. The ride demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and is a protest against oil dependency. Cyclists and skaters are encouraged to “be there, as bare as you dare”.
Probably the biggest worldwide naked protest in history, WNBR differs from other mass cycle events because of its astonishing naked element. According to the organisers, most bystanders experience a combined feeling of “amusement, shock and disbelief”.
Southampton’s ride will take place on Friday evening, to allow participants to also ride in Brighton and London on the following day should they wish.
The WNBR dress code is “as bare as you dare” – participants are encouraged to wear “as little as they feel confident with”. Joining the fully nude contingent, some riders in London and Brighton last year wore shorts, bras, swimwear, body paint, wigs, sunglasses etc. Most wear footwear and bring bags to carry clothes. Body painting and adornment, customised bikes and other creative expression are all strongly encouraged.
WNBR celebrates the individuality of people’s bodies. Riders of all ages, sizes, builds and appearances are therefore welcome to participate with dignity and respect. “Most riders find the experience exhilarating, liberating, empowering. I’ve yet to find anyone who didn’t enjoy it” says Southampton resident Nat Ravelle, who has participated in the London and Brighton rides in previous years. “At the same time, it makes a great statement about the most vital issue of our times: curbing our excessive use of oil to ensure the future of the planet.”
WNBR Southampton will take place on the evening of Friday 8 June. Riders will meet at 6pm on Southampton Common – off Highfield Road, opposite the junction with Omderman Road. The route will proceed along Portswood Road and onwards through the city centre, and returning up the magnificent Avenue to the start location.
More details of the Southampton ride can be found at http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/southampton
For further information, contact Rob, southampton@bikenaked.org