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Thousands strip off for London's Naked Bike Ride

mini mouse | 09.06.2007 18:19 | Climate Chaos | Free Spaces | London

In 2004 there were 58 riders, in 2005 a creditable 250 riders, rising to a massive 800 in 2006.

But in a scale that surprised even the organisers, more than five thousand people today took to London's streets to protest against oil dependency, celebrate body freedom and curb car culture.

Stopped in Picadilly, the ride stretches into the distance
Stopped in Picadilly, the ride stretches into the distance

A good deal of body art was involved
A good deal of body art was involved

A wide range of vehicles
A wide range of vehicles

Not the kind of sights they'd expected
Not the kind of sights they'd expected

But a bit of cheer for some...
But a bit of cheer for some...

.
.

The ride pours in to Covent Garden...
The ride pours in to Covent Garden...

...making her day, at least.
...making her day, at least.


Starting from Hyde Park, there was a slight deviation in route as precautions were taken to avoid a collision with an Orange march (featuring as scary a bunch of apparent loons and psychopaths as you'd ever not want to meet).

Halted half way down Piccadilly the scale of the ride became apparent, as it still tailed back well into Hyde Park (first picture).

Part of the fun took it straight through the heart of London's tourist hellhole, Covent Garden. But the roar of appreciation from the crowds made the cobbly streets more than tolerable.

Why so many? Well many of the riders had been to last month's Critical Mass, swollen to record numbers as a result of State attempts to control it and make it "illegal". Empowered, as many put it, the next stage was to get their clothes off and take it up a level.

"Roll on" as Rikki put in his report of that day "the next piece of repressive legislation".

mini mouse
- e-mail: mini_mouse@riseup.net

Comments

Display the following 4 comments

  1. BBC are claiming 700 — me
  2. Source for 5000 figure? — BC
  3. Counted them all in... and counted them all out. — Andy ( Manchester )
  4. Not the whole demo... — mini mouse