Hundreds of cyclists take part in World Naked Bike Ride in London
Over a 1,000 cyclists stripped and rode through the streets of London for the annual World Naked Bike Ride on Sunday (14.06.26).
Tourists strolling through central London were treated to an unexpected sight on Sunday (14.06.26) as more than 1,000 cyclists stripped off for the annual World Naked Bike Ride.
The eye-popping event, which has been held in the capital every year since 2004, saw an estimated 1,200 riders pedal through London's famous streets in the buff to protest against car culture, oil dependency and the dangers faced by cyclists on the roads.
Riders gathered at meeting points across the city before converging at Westminster Bridge and setting off as one colourful, and largely unclothed, procession past some of the capital's best-known landmarks.
This year's ride was moved to a Sunday rather than a Saturday to avoid the traffic and demonstrations linked to Trooping the Colour, which took place the previous day to celebrate King Charles' official birthday.
Despite attracting headlines for its lack of clothing, organisers insist the event carries a serious message.
The World Naked Bike Ride first took place in Zaragoza, Spain, in 2003 and has since expanded into a global movement, with more than 10,000 naked cycling events held worldwide each year.
As well as highlighting environmental concerns and reducing dependence on cars, the campaign promotes cyclist safety and body positivity.
A spokesman for WNBR said: “Our body positivity/body acceptance theme is all about having a sensible attitude to the human body instead of suffering from the angst of body image and peer pressure for abnormal sexual activity.
“We all have bodies, we are all different, and that’s OK.”
Organisers also share their routes and guidance with the Metropolitan Police in advance, including instructions reminding participants not to engage in inappropriate behaviour.
However, the event continues to divide opinion.
Emma Jane Taylor, founder of sexual abuse charity Project 90-10, told The Daily Telegraph: “The next day [after the bike ride], if you go and do that, you’ll be arrested. How come on this day it’s had the green light?”
She has launched a petition calling for reforms to the event's legal and safeguarding policies, with critics arguing more should be done to shield children from witnessing the spectacle.
Social media users were equally divided.
One wrote on X: “The naked cycle or the naked bike ride in London is so messed up. You know some of them are getting off being naked in public. We didn’t consent to seeing old cocks and vaginas on our streets.”
Another posted: “Walking down the Strand when about 1,000 mentally ill people naked riding bikes - mostly middle aged men. One absolute weapon in his 60s wearing a crown walking down the road with his tiny todger out.”
A third added: “Bus was held up for ages by vast horde of naked cycling perverts. Immediate observations; it's never, never the ones you'd want, it's always ‘for charity’ or a protest but clearly these people are exhibitionists, [and] stop stripping off in front of children for the love of God.”
