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World Naked Bike Ride 2010 — Mexico

For the second time (First time was in 2008; I didn’t join in 2009 as I travelled to Nicaragua on that date), I took part of the World Naked Bike Ride. The WNBR is a global effort, where people in ~150 cities all over the world go cycling nude on the streets of our towns, with varied demands, including:

I love my bike!

One of the things I most like about WNBR is its diversity. Not everybody goes for the same reasons. As people who read me often will know, I took part because I believe (and act accordingly!) that the bicycle is the best, most efficient vehicle in –by far– most of the situations we face day to day, but we need to raise awareness in everybody that the bicycle is just one more vehicle: On one side, we have the right to safely ride on the streets, like any other vehicle. On the other side, we must be responsible, safe drivers, just as we want car drivers to be.

Ok, and I will recognize it before anybody complains that I sound too idealistic: I took part of the WNBR because it is tons of fun. This year, we were between 300 and 500 people (depending on whom you ask). Compared to 2008, I felt less tension, more integration, more respect within the group. Of course, it is only natural in the society I live in that most of the participants were men, but the proportion of women really tends to even out. Also, many more people joined fully or partially in the nude (as nudity is not required, it is just an invitation). There was a great display of creativity, people painted with all kinds of interesting phrases and designs, some really beautiful.

Oh, one more point, important to me: This is one of the best ways to show that we bikers are not athletes or anything like that. We were people ranging from very thin to quite fat, from very young to quite old. And that is even more striking when we show our whole equipment. If we can all bike around… So can you!

Some links, with obvious nudity warnings in case you are offended by looking at innocent butts and similar stuff:

As for the sad, stupid note: 19 cyclists were placed under arrest in Morelia, Michoacán because of faltas a la moral (trasgressions against morality), an ill-defined and often abused concept.

Also, by far, most of the comments I have read from people on the media, as well a most questions we had by reporters before or after the ride were either why are you going nude‽ (because that’s the only way I’ll get your attention!) or But many people were not nude! (nudity is not a requirement but only an option.

Attachments

WNBR-Mexico2010.jpg (42 KB)

Comments

ray_iceman 2010-06-14 22:53:03

Wow, Gunnar Wolf, i cannot believe it

I was there but not naked, only taking pictures at the Miguel Angel. In fact I already wrote a brief post in my blog. This is a big surprise, i used to read your articles in SG magazine and now I have discovered that you were there fully naked. Weird, ha ha. Anyway, I think it was a good experience and despite all those bad comments that ignorant people does, the true is that it was not obscene or rude. Maybe one day i will take part. Not sure :P


sam 2010-06-13 14:26:00

**disturbing **

Wow this is disturbing. Burn that seat.

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