The 4th annual World Naked Bike Ride is coming up in Milwaukee next month, and it looks like all you’ll need to pack is sunscreen. The event aims to reject oil dependency, celebrate body positivity, and raise awareness about pedestrian visibility and safe biking infrastructure. Participants can choose to ride naked or wear as much or as little clothing as they feel comfortable with. Some opt for body paint or underwear, while others go completely bare.
The first naked bike ride was recorded in Spain in 2001, and the event has since grown with 74 rides around the world by 2010. The Milwaukee ride is set for June 22, 2024, starting at Fiesta Cafe on 1st St. Participants do not need to register and the event is free, with donation stations available for those who want to support the cause.
If you don’t have a bike, you can still join the event on rollerblades, a skateboard, or as a runner – just no cars allowed. Previous years have seen around 200 participants in Milwaukee, while other cities have attracted up to 1,000 riders. Riding a bike naked falls under legal protection as a form of protest, as long as there is no lewd, obscene, or sexual behavior involved. So get ready to strip down (or not) and pedal through the streets of Milwaukee in the name of activism and fun.