World Naked Bike Ride comes to Cork

cork | environment | event notice Sunday June 13, 2010 08:44 by WNBR Cork Collective - World Naked Bike Ride myrebelcounty at gmail dot com

Mass nudity event to protest against oil dependency

After a small group took part in Ireland's first ever participation in the Work Naked Bike Ride in 2009, a collective has formed to organise the ride as a public event this year, to be held in Cork on July 19th.

Going nude in a public place in Ireland is still a big deal. So when hundreds of people cycle naked through the streets of Cork, albeit early in the morning, it will attract attention to the protest against oil dependency that has inspired this global movement against car culture.
The organisers are a group of cycling activists who were inspired by the simplicity of the message of the World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR). Riding naked exaggerates the vulnerability of the cyclist. Riding on human-powered machines also emphasises the message that we do not need cars to get around. The combined meaning is that car dependency puts cyclists at risk and is damaging the planet.
Probably because of riders' shyness even in Spain where the first naked bike ride took place, some riders have their bodies painted. The elaborate nature of some of this body art has added to the WNBR experience, as to some participants it has become a transient art installation.
Most riders are satisfied with simply painting slogans on their bodies, that get across the ecological message. The nature of these slogans ranges from serious to cheeky to funny. Some examples: More Ass - Less Gas. ... Can you see me NOW driver? ... More Nude, Less Crude. ... More Ass, Less Gas. ...
The message is not subtle but it does get the point across and participants have a lot of fun doing it.
The ride gets underway at 5.45am on Monday 19th July in Cork, at a city centre location that will only be disclosed to ride participants a few hours before the start. It will take about an hour to complete at a comfortable pace on a fairly flat route, so it is accessible to people regardless of fitness level. Any human-powered transport is welcome, including skate boards, wheelchairs, and skates.
For those who want to be body painted before the ride, a body painting party will be held from 3.00am at an indoors location near the meeting point for the start of the ride.
The ride organisers would welcome offers from artists to help with the body painting, and from people with good bike handling skills to volunteer as stewards.
Although not officially part of the Cork Cycling Arts Festival, it is timed to coincide with it.
If you want to volunteer or to participate in the ride, send your contact details to myrebelcounty@gmail.com.