Naked biking campaigners rent safety amid rising hostility from public
The World Naked Bike Ride often causes controversy each year, but now organisers have had to hire security in order to stop a slew of attacks being hurled on its participants
Organisers of a naked bike ride have had to resort to hiring security in order to protect those taking part. It comes amid a spate of attacks by members of the public branding them “perverts”.
The World Naked Bike Ride is often held once a year in cities across the UK. The event sees cyclists, environmentalists, vegetarians and the like strip off completely to attract attention for sustainable living.
For two decades, these bike rides have gone off without a hitch, but in recent years things have taken a dark turn. Attacks on participants have marred the campaign, with organisers now having to go all out to protect those looking to strip off.
Amid growing hostility to the nudity, the most serious case came this year when 59-year-old Robert Brown was assaulted during the bike ride in August of this year. Lee Turnage, 46, admitted he had mistaken Brown for a “pervert” and was given a suspended prison sentence, according to the Times.
With the assault in mind, organisers of London’s edition of the ride have had to hire security in order to allow them to pass through the city safely. It also means that the date has also had to be changed, to minimise the chances of being targeted.
“We’ve found that leading over 1,000 cyclists through central London on a Saturday in June has become increasingly troublesome,” a spokesperson for the organising team said. “We’ve found that leading over 1,000 cyclists through central London on a Saturday in June has become increasingly troublesome.”
They added: “Their role is to improve safety and behaviour, both for our riders and for spectators. They patrol the start, finish and rest points as well as riding along with the participants.”
As a result, other rules have been brought into place, such as the need to be seated on the bike at all times. Riders must also only be naked for the duration of the ride and must clothe themselves back up immediately once the ride has finished.
As well as this, anyone who is caught trying to get hot and steamy over the course of the build-up will be told to leave the event and police will likely be called. Bikes will also have to have a saddle cover that is being sold by the organisers.
Nudity remains legal in England and Wales after a clarification in the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 confirmed many can be naked in public. The only caveat for this is that the nudity should not “cause alarm or distress”, but overall nudism remains a thriving part of many Brits’ culture.
But despite the clarification, many politicians have hit out at the bike ride, including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson. In a scathing attack on the event, he blasted participants, calling it a “freak show” with “flashers on bikes”.
However, naturists are keen to point out there is nothing inherently sexual regarding the practice. Instead, they explain that the lifestyle provides a sense of freedom for some people without having to wear clothes all the time.
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