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Brighton Council reassures residents after naked bike riders spotted on rental bikes

"We hope our ride made the people that participated as well as those that watch us rode past feel empowered"...

Brighton and Hove council has reassured locals that all rental bikes used by riders during the Naked Bike Ride were cleaned 'appropriately'. 

Hundreds of eager, nude cyclists saddled up and rode through Brighton last Sunday as part of the Naked Bike Ride.

The cyclists decorated their bikes during the protest ride and rode around the seaside town, joined by clothed officers from Sussex Police.

However, The Brighton Argus reports that some residents were a little concerned after seeing naked bodies on rented bikes. 

> Hundreds take to London’s streets for World Naked Bike Ride (+video)

Conservative transport spokesman Robert Nemeth said: "I was a little surprised to see keen cyclists using public bikes in the Naked Bike Ride this year.

"It would probably be advisable to bring strong wipes if using these bikes over the next few days.”

Another person said: "Absolutely disgusting using a rental bike, hope you cleaned the saddle afterwards". 

Some people were slightly more appreciative of the ride's good intentions however, with one person commenting: "Cool to see the Brighton naked bike ride n all but I’ll never look at the rental bike seats the same way again.'

Brighton and Hove City Council, which is a partner in the BTN Bikeshare scheme, but does not run the service, has reassured residents the bikes were cleaned.

A spokesman said: "BTN Bikeshare was very aware of the recent Naked Bike Ride and took appropriate cleaning actions.

“BTN Bikeshare also has a dedicated cleaning team which has focused on cleaning all contact points on bikes at every hub throughout the summer."

Posting on Twitter after the event, the organisers of the ride said: "We hope our Sunday ride made the people that participated as well as those that watch us rode past feel empowered. 

"Empowered to do something about climate change. Empowered to cycle more and feel you have the right to be on the road and feel safe.

"Empowered to challenge the beauty stereotypes. Empowered to be yourself and be different and not just blend in and conform."

First held in Seattle in 2003, with the debut edition in London taking place the following year, the World Naked Bike Ride is now held in more than 120 cities around the world.

Its objectives are to: Protest against the global dependency on oil, Curb car culture, Obtain real rights for cyclists, Demonstrate the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets and Celebrate body freedom.

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10 comments

Avatar
Allen Key | 2 years ago
1 like

Interesting that BTN is able to clean bikes, even after nekkid people have been on them. Because poor Halfords lost out on a sale when they refused me a test ride... "You understand, with covid and everything..."

Avatar
0-0 | 2 years ago
3 likes

I'm always surprised when cycling naked, how cold the top tube can get, when your manhood dangles down and touches it.
Or if you're older, your plums.
🥶

Avatar
andystow replied to 0-0 | 2 years ago
2 likes
0-0 wrote:

I'm always surprised when cycling naked, how cold the top tube can get, when your manhood dangles down and touches it. Or if you're older, your plums. 🥶

The solution is, of course, a dedicated naked bike with a washable terry cloth saddle and a heated top tube.

Avatar
brooksby replied to andystow | 2 years ago
1 like
andystow wrote:
0-0 wrote:

I'm always surprised when cycling naked, how cold the top tube can get, when your manhood dangles down and touches it. Or if you're older, your plums. 🥶

The solution is, of course, a dedicated naked bike with a washable terry cloth saddle and a heated top tube.

We;'ve had gravel bikes - maybe that'll be the next, er , big thing?

Avatar
RoubaixCube | 2 years ago
1 like

So throwing the bikes in a fire wasn't an option then?

Avatar
Captain Badger | 2 years ago
2 likes
Quote:

Conservative transport spokesman Robert Nemeth said: "I was a little surprised to see keen cyclists using public bikes in the Naked Bike Ride this year.

Just as well they weren't ardent cyclists....

Avatar
Shouldbeinbed replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
3 likes
Captain Badger wrote:
Quote:

Conservative transport spokesman Robert Nemeth said: "I was a little surprised to see keen cyclists using public bikes in the Naked Bike Ride this year.

Just as well they weren't ardent cyclists....

😁 I noted the Keen Cyclists quote too. Clearly a veiled dig suggesting these people don't have their own bike to use.

A) not necessarily the case.
B) Never been on one but never seen anything to do with nude bike rides with a minimum distance criteria on the right of entry.
C) Maybe less cars would see them become keen cyclists.
D) Maybe they were there for the nude bit more than the cycle bit. Far less in the way of nude pub crawls or nude bus tours for people who like going au naturelle. Another proof of the inclusive and egalitarian nature of cycling over and above other forms of transport or entertainment.

Avatar
jmcc500 replied to Shouldbeinbed | 2 years ago
0 likes

Maybe they are frequent users of rental bikes because they are convenient for them, and therefore have no need to get to n>0?

Avatar
OldRidgeback replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
3 likes

Pubic bikes then?

Avatar
Blackthorne replied to OldRidgeback | 2 years ago
0 likes

Motorists just got rear ended by a bunch of nutters on bikes

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