World Naked Bike Ride - London

The naked ride was approved by the London police, although apparently permission was refused for a similar event in Brighton. The police cyclists - looking rather over-dressed in their usual uniform - led the event in its ride around some of the busiest streets in central London, and kept riders safe from traffic. Many of them seemed to be amused by the event.

Naked protest has a long history (dating back in modern times at least to 1903), and Saturday's ride certainly caught the attention of the crowds in central London. Many were obviously astounded, finding it hard to beleive the evidence of their eyes, but all I saw were amused and none seemed offended by the event. A leaflet handed out during the ride advised "If you don't wish to see nudity, please avert your gaze - we'll soon be out of sight" but I didn't see anyone following this simple advice. Indeed it looked as if London should be promoting the event to attract yet more tourists.

But it was a serious protest, aimed at bringing environmental issues to public notice and getting people to take some notice. And unlike many demos, this one certainly gained a lot of attention from the thousands in the streets.

The pictures I've uploaded with this are I hope carefully selected so as not to cause offence even to your primmest aunt (or uncle or ISP.) My religious upbringing taught me that we were created in the image of our maker, and thus it was blasphemous to object to the display of the naked body, even if often prudent to keep it covered. Of course not everyone rode entirely naked, as those taking part were invited to ride "as bare as you dare!"

As a photographer, I was pleased that I knew and had previously photographed many of those taking part in other demonstrations, and it was good to be greeted when photographing them. Many other riders also made it clear that they wanted to be photographed, and I tried hard to do a good job of it. Only one person out of the several hundred made it clear she did not wish me to take a picture, and of course I didn't.

It was certainly an afternoon when it was more comfortable to be without clothes than in them (so long as you had plenty of sun-screen.) But I had chosen not to ride a bike, and just pretended to be one as I ran up Piccadilly with the mass of cyclists. By the time I got to the top of Haymarket I was pretty much whacked. So I took the tube to Waterloo to meet the ride as it came up York Road and get a different viewpoint.

I'd think I was being very rude (and lying) if I didn't say that many of those taking part I found visually attractive. With or without clothes, old and young, male and female. But I wouldn't take photographs of anything if I didn't generally find people attractive.

I will put a few more images on My London Diary shortly, along with a message so that those who took part and I photographed can get copies of their pictures.