WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE (UK)
Phone Graham 0795 626 1902 or Jesse 0781 458 7361

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (2 June 2005)

150 NAKED CYCLISTS TO BARE ALL FOR AN OIL FREE FUTURE!

At 3pm on Saturday 11 June 2005, 150-200 people will participate in the World Naked Bike Ride in London. Cyclists will ride naked in London to protest against oil dependency and celebrate the power and individuality of our bodies.

London is one of 54 cities participating in the 2005 worldwide naked protest against the destructive effects of car culture. 

The London ride is a part of London Sustainability Weeks 2005, and National Bike Week 2005.

The ride assembles at 3pm by the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner in London, UK.

The Metropolitan Police have been remarkably supportive of the protest ride.  They approved a 10k Central London route which passes well-known landmarks including the Wellington Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Oxford Street, and the US Embassy!  Police also agreed to the nudity during the event, explaining that "nudity in itself is not an offence".

Many cyclists plan to strip completely, showing the depth of their commitment to ending oil dependency. The ride is a body-positive event where "nudity is optional", and riders are encouraged to go "as bare as you dare"!

First time rider, Melissa Evans (age 32) says 
"It's a cheeky way of protesting! We wouldn't normally go naked in public, but this shows how serious we are in opposing oil dependency.  Like many people, I'm afraid of showing my body in public, but I'm more afraid of relying on environmentally destructive fuels." 

Last year (2004) was the first year of the World Naked Bike Ride and London had around 70 riders, but this year numbers are expected to double or triple.  The naked cycle protest movement has routes in Spain,Vancouver and Seattle.  The largest ever naked cycle protest ride was in Zaragoza Spain during 2004.

Readers who wish to participate can find out more details at www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/london

Further details:  Graham 0795 626 1902 or Jesse 0781 458 7361

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NOTES FOR JOURNALISTS:

1. High definition digital photos are available from several 2004 riders. The Getty Image Bank also has images from the 2004 London ride available at www.editorial.gettyimages.com (run a search for "world naked bike ride").

2. People of all backgrounds are available for interview.  Please contact us to arrange interviews.  
- Graham (Press Officer) 0795 626 1902 or e-mail at glee194584 [at] aol.com
- Jesse (UK rides coordinator) 0781 458 7361 

3. The ride is a featured event in London Sustainability Weeks 2005 (http://www.lsw2005.org), for comment, please contact Chris at 020 7359 0452 or 07959 592 512.  The ride is also a featured event in Bike Week 2005, for comment, please contact Nick Harvey at nick [at] bikeweek.org.uk or 01243 527444.

4. Another UK participant in the World Naked Bike Ride is Bath.  The Wheel Thing Festival (http://www.littlefiets.com) in Bath will host a World Naked Bike ride also on 11 June 2005.  For comment about The Wheel Thing Festival, phone 07969 041322.

5. Steve Gough "the naked rambler" will resume his walking again this summer with a second planned nude walk from Land's End to John o'Groats.  He will be participating in the ride again this year and is available for interview.  See http://www.nakedwalk.org or phone Richard Collins (Media Contact/ Webmaster) at 01954 212502. 

6. Businesses with sustainable transport available for comment.  Two businesses which rely on bikes for transport needs are:
- Bug Bugs (a bike taxi service at 9 Chancel Street, London SE1 OUX, UK - 020 7620 0500 ask for Sabine or e-mail sabine [at] bugbugs.co.uk)
- Zero Bikes (a goods delivery service at 51A Marylebone High Street, London W1U 5HW - 020 7486 0379 or info [at] zerocouriers.com).  Both of these local London companies support the ride and will be available for interview at the ride.

7. Oil dependency has far reaching and irreversible environmental effects.  Additionally, it is a root cause of international military conflict, widespread health problems, urban traffic congestion, and economic injustice.  Participants in the World Naked Bike Ride show the strength of their environmental convictions by riding naked.

8. The ride is a body-positive event which allows people to experience social nudity in a non-sexual context.

9.  The Southern-Hemisphere rides took place on 13 February 2005, and the Northern-Hemisphere rides take place on 11 June 2005.