Tourists walking around London today might be in for a shock as more than 1,000 cyclists will ride around the capital naked today. The World Naked Bike Ride is being held in London today after gracing the city every year since 2004. The event has faced calls to be banned but organisers and participants insist it is a peaceful, legal public protest with a serious focus. Here is everything you need to know about the eye-catching spectacle.
What is the World Naked Bike Ride?
There are more than 10,000 naked cycle ride events held every year. The event (called WNBR for short) is actually a protest against car culture and other linked themes. Participants are also demonstrating against the global dependency on oil while also celebrating body freedom. Last year more than 1,200 people took part in London’s naked bike ride. The event has now been moved to a Sunday, rather than a Saturday, to avoid the traffic and protests surrounding Trooping of the Colour.
Where and when do the London Naked Bike Ride start?
You don’t need to sign up or pay to participate in WNBR. Naked bikers just need to turn up at the right time. There are a string of different locations across the capital where you can meet fellow riders. These are:
- Clapham Junction, Grant Road, SW11 2NU, meet at 14:00, depart at 14:15
- Croydon, 233 Shirley Church Road, CR0 5AB, meet at 10:45, depart at 12:45
- Deptford, Piehouse Co-op, Arches 213&214, Edward St, SE8 5HD, meet at 12:00, depart at 13:30
- Hackney Wick, Thingy Cafe, 1 Trowbridge Rd, E9 5LD, meet at 09:00, depart at 13:30
- Kew Bridge, North end of Kew Bridge near W4 3NQ, meet at 12:45, depart at 13:00
- Regents Park, Outer Circle, near NW1 4NA, meet at 14:05, depart at 14:20
- Tower Hill, Trinity Square Gardens, EC3N 4DJ, meet at 13:15, depart at 14:15
- Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner W1J 7JZ, meet at 13:45, depart at 14:15
- Accessible Option at Leake St, SE1 7NN (wait there to be met), meet at 15:00, depart at 15:15
- The AfterParty at The Steel Yard, 13-16 Allhallows Lane EC4R 3UE, meet at 18:00, depart at 23:00
