The Lowdown on the Seattle and Portland World Naked Bike Rides

This summer I happened to be in both Portland and Seattle during the World Naked Bike Rides, which were quite illuminating experiences. I didn't participate in either event, due to not actually having a bike. So here are my impressions as an observer.

As its name suggests, the World Naked Bike Ride is basically a bunch of guys and girls riding through the streets on their bikes, sans clothing. It's an annual event that happens in dozens of cities around the world, and each one is a little different. The event is ostensibly a protest against oil dependency, but let's be honest, many participants use it simply as an excuse to ride around in the buff.

Portland, Oregon held its event on June 13. Estimates are that upwards of 1,000 people showed up. At midnight, when the signal was given, the riders took off and headed off for their ride through the streets.

Portland's event is one of the largest in the world, and I'm betting the fact that it happens at midnight is a major reason why. A lot of people might be bashful about riding naked around a city, but by the time midnight rolls around it's dark enough that you really can't see too much. Not to mention the fact that folks might have consumed a few alcoholic beverages by that hour, which could make them lose their inhibitions.

Is riding naked through the streets legal? Probably not, but the police in most cities are aware of the events and as long as the rides are not disruptive, they look the other way for the half hour that the events take place. Many riders, I'd say about 20 percent based on my observations, do wear underwear or some form of clothing.

Seattle holds several naked bike rides annually. The one I witnessed took place around noon on June 20, the same day as the Summer Solstice Parade. Perhaps a few hundred riders came out. Seattle's event is unique in that most participants paint their bodies, so they may be naked but they don't appear to be.

I found these events to be fun and entertaining. If you find yourself in a city that has a World Naked Bike Ride, consider checking it out and maybe even participating!

Sources:

http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=List_of_rides

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/world-naked-bike-ride-bares-all.php

http://bikeportland.org/2009/06/14/world-naked-bike-ride-was-it-good-for-you/