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Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride
Portlanders bare their love (and bodies) for bicycling at this annual bike ride.
John Patrick Pullen
Know Before You Go
The 2021 Naked Bike Ride has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, cyclists are encouraged to protest on every full moon from June through August. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the World Naked Bike Ride website.
Wearing a helmet is a great way to stay safe while bicycling — no one would argue with that. But what about the rest of a rider’s attire? For the undressed masses who streak through Portland each year during the World Naked Bike Ride, accouterments are largely unnecessary. And besides, it’s much more fun to bike buck naked.
Every June, thousands of cyclists cruise commando through Portland streets as part of the World Naked Bike Ride, a global protest against oil dependency.
As a part of a worldwide protest against the dependency on oil, this annual event has seen Portlanders pedaling au natural every June since 2004. (Fun fact: Portland’s Naked Bike Ride is the world’s largest, drawing 10,000 people in 2015.) The route is kept a secret, ride organizers only reveal the starting point in advance.
Wherever the ride begins, the clothes come off and the body paint goes on, adding all sorts of flourishes to bicyclists’ birthday suits. Then, thousands of naked bike riders hit the roads, cruising commando through streets closed off to cars by (fully-clothed) Portland police officers. Never-nude medical personnel and bike mechanics are also on-hand, in case of emergencies.
Questions About Portland’s Naked Bike Ride
Can I participate without a bike?
Can I rent a bike to ride in the protest?
Isn’t it illegal to be naked?
Won’t I get cold?
Related Events
Biking Events
Bike-loving Portlanders have come up with all sorts of rides and events that fill the calendar with two-wheeled shenanigans.
Pedalpalooza Bike Festival
Portland's cycling culture peaks during summer's multi-week Pedalpalooza, featuring 200+ local-led, themed rides, all open to the public.
Portland Sunday Parkways
This family-friendly bike ride features local vendors and live entertainment.
Over the years, the ride has turned into a festive tradition, with after-parties giving bare bikers places to see and be seen. But don’t expect to find a scene full of looky-loos. Sure, there are threadbare tandems, unclad unicyclists and even recumbent bikers in the buff — but the event also has a no-nonsense approach and forbids alcohol use and inappropriate behavior, so everyone can feel safe and comfortable streaking through Portland with the wind at their, um, backs.
And with the unofficial motto of “as bare as you dare,” all manner of clothing and costume is allowed. Frankly, socks and shoes are smart, helmets and pads never hurt anyone, masks are popular for shy riders, and fanny packs aren’t all that embarrassing (for once). Just don’t roll in with your bike attached to a car — ride to the park or load your wheels onto a city bus — because burning fossil fuel en route to this event would be offensive.
Upcoming Biking Events
Pedalpalooza
Portland’s cycling culture peaks during summer’s multi-week Pedalpalooza, featuring 200+ local-led, themed rides, all open to the public.
Bridge Pedal
The Bridge Pedal is scheduled to return Aug. 8, 2021. Please visit the event website for current information. Portland’s annual Bridge Pedal is a community celebration of the city’s iconic bridges and biking culture. Join your friends and neighbors for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges…
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