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World naked bike ride

By Lori Bongiorno

Posted Sat Mar 7, 2009 8:06am PST

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Thousands of bike riders are shedding their clothes in the hopes that they can get us all to stop and think about the negative effects that cars (and the pollution they create) have on people and the planet.

World Naked Bike Ride kicks off on March 7, 2009 in Nimbin, Australia, and Pretoria, South Africa. Events continue through March 15, in Sao Paulo, Lima, Sydney, and other cities throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Most of the Northern Hemisphere rides will take place on June 13, although exact details depend on each individual location. The list of participating cities is long: New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Dublin, Mexico City, Tel Aviv, and many more.

It's certainly a powerful way to make a point, but what does it feel like to ride nude? According to past riders: "Just like it does with clothes, but a bit cooler." And, apparently, it's not any more uncomfortable than riding with clothes on. Click here for answers to other popular questions.

One big question, though, is whether it's legal. The answer: In most places riding your bike naked is illegal. However, only one arrest has ever been made at a WRBR event (in 2005, the year of the first bike ride). Some bikers use body paint and other creative ideas to cover up, and others choose to ride with a minimal amount of clothing.

Anything goes, even the choice of wheels (within reason).The organizers say any alternative body-powered transportation is welcome: skateboards, rollerskates, and more. In fact, several events have had people riding on unicycles, chopper bikes, and rickshaws.

Want to embrace the message of alternative forms of transportation and fuel, but aren't up for something as wacky as taking your clothes off in public?

Bike (with your clothes on, of course) or walk instead of driving whenever you can. Click here to see how walkable your town is.

While the organizers of the protest want to promote life without cars (and likely wouldn't approve of any suggestions that involve the use of oil), anything you can do to cut back on driving will help the planet. Some suggestions:

Take the bus, subway, or train. Find out about nearby public transportation options and calculate potential money savings here.
Carpool when you can. Use the Internet to connect with potential car-mates. Start with ZimRide, GoLoco, Facebook, or find links to regional options, at this Rideshare directory.
Even just bundling your errands instead of making separate trips to the store (or shopping online) can help.

Or, how about this? Next time you grab your car keys, picture thousands of naked bikers, and ask yourself if there's an alternative.

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Posted by Dionyus Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:15pm PDT
Keep that filthy flesh of yours covered up!!!!
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Posted by Zitro Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:40pm PDT
NoBama - I would love to know about this deep dark bicycling "agenda" that the media is not reporting. I am a cyclist but obviously I must have missed the meeting. Would it have anything to do with how fun bicycling is or that if more people rode a bike to do errands or commute to work that there would be less traffic. Or buy using less fuel the price of gas would stay lower. Or by encouraging cycling it may help the obesity problem in America. Or that getting regular exercise helps reduce stress and a laundry list of other health problems thus reducing health care costs. By all means please expose the "agenda".
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Posted by unsure547 Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:36am PDT
WHAT? Riding bike nude? If the kids get in on this, its not a good idea. We have enough child molesters in this world. This is promoting other things than making a statement about driving cars, dont you think?
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Posted by Glory! Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:22pm PDT
I guess then, that it would be no place to take a 10 yr. old, would it! Anyway...! In Europe, and downunder, there is no shame or taboo placed on the human body! only in religious strange USA! GSN
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Posted by Rebecca Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:29pm PDT
come on...be honest...they are looking for a reason to get naked! I wonder how many will be hit by distracted drivers of cars? This is worse than texting and watching a movie while driving...for sure!!!
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Posted by Rebecca Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:29pm PDT
come on...be honest...they are looking for a reason to get naked! I wonder how many will be hit by distracted drivers of cars? This is worse than texting and watching a movie while driving...for sure!!!
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Posted by Jon Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:16am PDT
Will there be a counter demonstration with people driving their SUV's naked?
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Posted by Linda Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:07am PDT
woooooooooooooo thats mesed up. ther are beter ways to show what cars can do than that.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by Jonathan K Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:55pm PDT
I hope all these people get sunburned to severely in certain places to reproduce anytime soon. :-)
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Posted by john c Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:24am PDT
How about naked Sunday mass? (and include a processional and recessional).
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Posted by bpositiv2 Wed May 20, 2009 3:40pm PDT
Riding a bicycle with NO clothes on really degrades bicycle riders & society in general!!!.At minimum, you should wear gymn shorts & a tank top! No wonder many parts the Arab world has siuch contempt for us!! Show some respect towards this most efficient form of transportation(bicycle riding) with it's countless health, environmental & $$ saving benefits!
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