The World Naked Bike Ride is set to return to Cardiff next month. Almost 150 cyclists will take part in the Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride on Saturday, July 8 this year.
The event took a Covid-induced hiatus in 2020 but has otherwise been held annually since 2008. Participants will be campaigning for a better infrastructure for cyclists, against oil dependency and body positivity.
“We're advocating safer riding for cyclists and safer driving by drivers because it can sometimes be dangerous out there,” said Dee Jenkins, one of the organisers of the ride. “One of our slogans is, ‘If you can see us naked, why can't you see us when we are clothed?’”
Read more: 'Hidden gem' named UK's best sandy beach as TikTok video goes viral
Dee explained that participants don’t need to be fully naked to be a part of the ride. “Our tagline is ‘bare as you dare’”, she said. “You can wear as little or as much as you want to. I even introduced fancy dress when I started ten years ago.”
Bikers will meet at 12.30pm in the Cardiff University Lawns at Museum Avenue on July 8 to get their bodies and bikes ready while the two-and-a-half-hour ride will start at 2.30pm and go through the Civic Center, City Center, Cardiff Bay before returning by the same route.
The organisers have assured that the safety of the riders, particularly women, will be maintained throughout the ride by marshals who will follow the cyclists as they ride. Police presence has also been requested in certain areas that might be busy.
“We will be talking with the ladies first, particularly the single ones, just to quell any fears,” said. Dee “It could be a little bit overwhelming for them to start. Yes, we know everybody will be looking and when you get used to that, then that's all fine. Our gentlemen are very protective of the ladies they won't let any harm come to them watch out for them.”
Previous renditions of Cardiff World Naked Bike Rides faced some backlash on social media forums, on the issue of exposing children to nudity. “If we are passing an area where we know there are a lot of children, we get requested by the police to avoid it and because we are nice people, we avoid that area completely,” said Dee.
“We do pass by lots and lots of children and to be honest, the children have no problem with this. It's the parents,” she said. "For some reason, some parents want to cover their children's eyes up, or avert their eyes, or turn them around which I think is a little bit Victorian in this day and age. Children are mostly clapping when we pass them."
Dee added that public nudity was not illegal provided there is no intention of causing alarm or distress, adding that the campaign group has never had problems with the police. “People look forward to the ride. The new ones are a little bit apprehensive. They're wondering if they can do it,” she said.
“I say to them everybody around them had done this ride for the first time. Even I was apprehensive during my first time but by the end of it, you're so exhilarated and confident that you're just waiting for the next. It is surprising how much you can lift your spirits and increase your confidence."
