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What does
riding bikes naked
have to do with protesting oil dependency?
We 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 of non-renewable energy.
What if I am not thin? What if I am not young?
What if I have scars on my body? What if my body
shape just isn't normal? What if I look different?
Great! Please come to the ride! We'll all be there
to ride with you in celebration of your body's
strength and individuality. Last year there were
people of all ages, sizes, builds, and
appearances. At the ride, you will be treated with
dignity and respect no matter what your body looks
like.
Can I hurt myself by cycling in the nude?
Only if you don't wear any sunscreen or if you
fall off the bike. We recommend that you wear
sunscreen, shoes, and a helmet. Ride carefully and
you won't get hurt. Your butt will probably not
hurt any more than when you ride with your clothes
on. If you get sore, perhaps you need to get a
padded bike seat or get in shape by cycling more
often.
What does it feel like to ride nude?
Just like it does with clothes but a bit cooler.
Should I wear shoes?
If you're not sure about this, then you should
wear shoes. Most riders wear shoes for
safety/comfort reasons. If you are not going to
wear shoes, you better try it out first on an
urban ride before you decide you try it at
Naked/Nude Biking Event
Will people/press photograph me?
They might. If it makes you uncomfortable, let the
photographers know that they don't have permission
to photograph you. Also, let other riders know
this so they can tell photographers not to
photograph you. Another approach is to keep your
clothes on during the first bit of the ride, and
take them off after you have left the assembly
point. We recommend this approach too. Both of
these approaches will cut down on photographs
taken at the start of the ride, but it's not
really possible to stop people from photographing
during the ride.
Naked/Nude Biking Event local events often do have
a documentary team taking pictures and video, but
they are generally very considerate people and
will try to keep your best wishes in mind as much
as possible. You can see many of their images on
this website and on Naked/Nude Biking
Event-generated media, which is sometimes shared
with other non-profit progressive groups.
There are also those who are at the event to use
the images for other reasons, and you won't know
without asking. If someone is being aggressive,
acting suspiciously, or making you feel
uncomfortable please tell a Naked/Nude Biking
Event team coordinator or someone who can confront
them and tell them to back off a bit and give
people personal space. People need to understand
the positive message of Naked/Nude Biking Event
and understand that part of respecting each
others' bodies is giving each other enough
personal space to be comfortable, this is
especially important for those that have never
been naked in front of strangers or in public
before. They have their own issues they are
dealing with and aggressive gawking or unwanted
exposure adds an additional unwanted complication
to their experience. So speak up!
What will the gender ratio be?
It is hard to know the gender ratio in advance.
While many rides have been gender-balanced, it is
rare that females outnumbered males on any ride.
Of course we would like it if every mass ride had
a good gender balance, but the only people who can
help make it happen is the promotion team and the
people who show up themselves.
One good example of a gender-balanced painted
naked cycling group is the painted cyclists of the
Summer Solstice Parade in Fremont, Seattle. That
group has been cycling for years, and there is a
strong tradition of creative diversity. Having a
ride that approaches the diversity of the
community is a sign that the ride is maturing, has
earned the trust of the community, and is
attracting a wide range of people.
Obviously, cycling and opposing oil dependency are
not gender-specific activities. Public nudity has
a very different meaning for each of us personally
and this often relates to our experience of being
male or female.
Do I need to get a permit to ride naked on the
streets in a large group?
How many Critical Mass groups seek permits to ride
in the streets? Do car drivers get permits to
cause traffic jams? Do you think you need
permission to ride your bicycle with others? Isn't
bicycle riding one of the most responsible and
efficient ways to get around? Shouldn't the
community government be supporting activists who
encourage change for the better? Do you need a
permit to swim naked at the beach or to sunbathe
in the park? Think about it. Think about the
implications of asking The Man for your freedom
versus giving yourself permission to live fully
and completely.
"Argue for your limitations and they're yours."
-Richard Bach, from Illusions
Its one thing to work with officials or other
community groups to make sure the event happens in
a successful way if you are using city resources
or community space, but quite another to ask for
permission to use the roads that you collectively
own with other tax payers to go cycling in a
responsible manner. |
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