Warning: This article contains images of nudity.
The World Naked Bike Ride returns to London for 2023, meaning hundreds of nude cyclists will be out and about on two wheels for one day in June.
The event takes place in more than 200 cities around the world, and has been happening in London since 2004. While it's all good fun, the World Naked Bike Ride has a serious message too, acting as a memorable but peaceful message with the following aims:
- Protest against the global dependency on oil
- Curb car culture
- Obtain real rights for cyclists
- Demonstrate the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets
- Celebrate body freedom
The key word here is "peaceful" — organisers of the event are at pains to ask everyone taking part to behave legally and respectfully.
'Be as bare as you dare' is the dress code for the event. Happy to let it all hang out? Crack on! Want to keep your underwear on to protect your modesty? Absolutely fine. Want to don a mask, a headpiece or some sort of fancy dress as a disguise? You do you! However, for safety reasons it's recommended that everyone wears shoes (and a helmet is a jolly good idea too). Body paint, bike decorations, flags, banners and the like are also welcome, as long as they don't interfere with anyone's safety.
Oh, and if it's a sunny day, some suncream would be advisable. There are some places that should never, ever get sunburnt.
London World Naked Bike Ride route 2023
As with last year, there are several main London routes for the World Naked Bike Ride 2023, including an accessible route for anyone who cannot manage the full length of the other routes. The Wellington Arch start point is back in action this year — last year, it was still fenced off following the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and this year it's still a slight change from the usual Hyde Park Corner location. The routes all start at different starting points at different times, so check for details. The starting points are:
- Clapham Junction
- Croydon
- Deptford
- Kew Bridge
- Regent's Park
- Tower Hill
- Wellington Arch
- Victoria Park
- Accessible route — starting near Waterloo
All routes converge for a grand finale near Wellington Arch at around 5.30pm, with more than 1,000 riders expected to make it there. If you're not taking part yourself but are planning on spectating, please do so respectfully, particularly with regards to taking photos of individual riders.
After this, there's an official after party for riders — it's a ticketed event, aiming to raise money for the World Naked Bike Ride. Although everyone involved does so voluntarily, there are costs involved, such as radio equipment, insurance and road closure fees.
The World Naked Bike Ride 2023 takes place in London on Saturday 10 June 2022. It's free to take part — just turn up at the start of one of the routes with your bike.
You can see (NSFW) photos from previous rides here and here.
