World Naked Bike Ride challenges you to get as bare as you dare

As the cops nicely pointed out by fining the crap out of everyone this Bike to Work week, you should probably strap on a helmet. But what if you didn’t have to wear anything else?

Next Saturday (June 11) marks the annual World Naked Bike Ride—an attempt, as its website verbosely describes, “to face automobile traffic with our naked bodies as the best way of defending our dignity and exposing the unique dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians as well as the negative consequences we all face due to dependence on oil and other forms on non-renewable energy.”

Could’ve done with some punctuation, but there you are.

Congregating on Sunset Beach between noon and 2 p.m., the riders will follow an undisclosed route through the city to bare all (or at least some) to raise the profile of cycling. Or maybe just because they lost a bet.

Part of the city’s excellent Velopalooza festival, the event promises a carnival atmosphere. Featuring performances and body painting to relax you before the ride, it’s almost easy to forget that your private parts are hanging out.

But all that aside, the World Naked Bike Ride has an important message. The event’s push for “human powered happiness” and raising awareness about Vancouver’s damaging car-culture is an admirable concept—and one well worth taking your clothes off for.

If you’re an activist or thrill-seeker willing to get as “bare as you dare”, we definitely recommend joining the peloton.

Less gas, more ass.

Vancouver’s World Naked Bike Ride is at Sunset Beach on Saturday June 11