On June 7th, thousands of nude cyclists will descend upon Portland’s streets for the World Naked Bike Ride. The point, the event website explains, is to highlight the “vulnerability of cyclists everywhere” and denounce “society’s dependence on pollution-based transport.” Also, to ride bicycles naked. (“It’s also a lot of fun and it’s free for all!”)
But while the ride is legal — as a form of protest, public nudity is protected under Oregon’s constitution — the ride is not universally popular. Some upstanding Portlanders (Portlandians?) worry for the children. Others worry for themselves. “I’m not accustomed to seeing naked people,” one woman tells KWG News. For them, the Portland police offer guidance, council, and comfort:
“Police said anyone who doesn’t want to come in contact with naked bike riders should stay indoors during the ride, pull the shades down and put the kids to bed. They also suggested watching a movie or turning up some music to avoid hearing the revelry.”
The Portland police did not provide a specific list of movies and appropriately nudity-blocking albums, however. They also did not recommend any child-friendly bedtime stories. Concerned citizens must navigate their Netflix queues alone.
Image via World Naked Bike Ride/Facebook