A naked cyclist participating in a charity bike ride was left with bruises after two men on e-scooters allegedly kicked him. The incident occurred on June 20 in Chelmsford, Essex, around 4pm on Duke Street.
Attack Details
The victim, who wished to be identified only as Mo, was cycling with other nude riders when two unidentified men drove past and then turned back to kick him. Video footage captured the moment one of the men struck Mo's thigh and stomach. Mo said: 'His foot hit the lower part of my thigh first, then slid all the way up to my stomach. Fortunately, because the impact was distributed across this wide area, the force was absorbed, preventing a severe injury. The attack left some red bruises on both the lower and upper parts of my thigh.'
Mo narrowly avoided being hit by a bus during the incident, as shown in the video. He stated: 'I will not let violence like this stop me from participating in the protest.'
Context of the Ride
Mo was taking part in the Chelmsford World Naked Bike Ride, a protest against the 'destructive elements of our car culture,' according to its website. The event promotes cycling and environmental awareness.
Previous Incident
This is not the first attack on a nude cyclist in Essex. In August last year, Rob Brown, 59, was punched by motorcyclist Lee Turnage, 46, during a similar event in Colchester. Turnage received a suspended prison sentence for causing actual bodily harm.
Police Response
Essex Police confirmed an investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made in connection with the latest attack.
Naturism and the Law
Naturism, also known as nudism, is a movement that advocates non-sexual nudity to reconnect with nature. According to a 2022 survey commissioned by British Naturism, approximately 6.7 million people practice this clothing-optional lifestyle. The College of Policing notes that public nudity is only a crime if it involves a sexual offence or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
