800 cyclists rode naked through London on Saturday 11th of June

Thousands of cyclists rode naked through the streets of towns and cities around the world  during the weekend  as part of an annual Global campaign to increase awareness of the dangers to cyclists and in protest against what organizers called the rule of motor vehicles on the roads.

“It is about putting cycling and pedestrians first, instead of last,” said a London spokesman for the World Naked Bike Ride.

People along the London route from Wellington Arch to the Mall and back, who did not know what was going on looked on at the 800 naked cyclists with bemusement. However, no arrests were made for offences relating to public nudity according to a Metropolitan Police spokesman. Being naked in a public place is not criminal offence, but it can be treated as one if it causes offence and it often depends on whether there was intention to cause offence.

The London event’s spokesman said there was a serious purpose to eighth annual bike ride in the capital. “It shows the vulnerability of cyclists in traffic.

“It can be very dangerous in London for cyclists. Blue cycle lanes can be disastrous, because the cyclist assumes they’re safe within it, while motorists don’t pay any attention.”

Some of the signs read ‘Can you see me now?’

This article was written for the Vehicle Reporting and road safety website Regtex.