London preparation
Contents
Previous Rides
London is the largest daytime WNBR event in the world. The event started in 2004 with 58 participants and has had 1,000-1,200 participants each year since 2007. Read about the previous rides on the London_history page.
Next ride
Date: Saturday 9 June 2012
Time: 3pm assembly, for 3.30pm departure
Location: Hyde Park.
Please donate to the WNBR UK Fund
The UK World Naked Bike Ride fund meets the cost of insuring rides
across the UK, and provides local organisers with money for
poster/flyer printing, advertising, ride equipment etc.
Please give generously.
Thinking of Taking Part in the London World Naked Bike Ride?
Legality
The WNBR London organising collective has been working closely with the Metropolitan police since 2005; they are fully aware of the nature of the protest and supportive of our right to make it. We have excellent relations with the police; some years they have assisted with traffic control and have had their own riders accompanying us (although they keep their uniforms on). In recent years they have left us to our own devices as we are considered a well run event that doesn't require close monitoring.
Contrary to popular opinion, there is no law against nudity in England and you will not be arrested simply for being nude on this protest. Visit our FAQ answer for more information.
Notice: The terms of the 2012 ride have been agreed with the police as in previous years.
Nudity during the ride
There is no law against nudity in Britain, but please don't exercise your right to nudity in London before the ride, as it will impact on our ability to make arrangements with police and get cooperation from the authorities in future years. Feel free to undress in the UK at any other time of the year, as this will not have any impact on the WNBR.
Many passers by and photographers who know about the event WILL turn up and take photographs before the ride begins. With no budget and no ability to erect any sort of barriers, the start is very difficult for us to control. There will be lots of people there with cameras and there isn't much we can do about it.
Remember that if you are uncomfortable getting undressed with all of the photographers around only need to get undressed just before the ride starts. If you wear clothes that can be quickly removed, you could leave the park dressed, pull over, remove your clothes and rejoin the ride.
Traffic and congestion WILL cause the protest to stop for several minutes at various points throughout the route. If you don't like the idea of being photographed while sitting at a red light, bring something you can cover up with quickly and easily put on and take off.
Photography
Please keep referring to the London photography policy as things progress, which will make it clear what photography behaviour is unwelcome. If presence of photographers makes people uncomfortable, we recommend riders consider adopting the following measures:
- The most effective measure is to avoid disrobing at the assembly. Simply wear something that can be easily removed when the ride pauses on route. The problem photography rarely occurs during the ride;
- Verbally address the photographer by saying "Go away, I do not wish to be photographed". At the same time, hold up your hand to indicate the universal gesture of "stop/halt/no". If this doesn't work, address the people near to you, asking them to stand between you and the photographer;
- Leafleting before and during the ride may be a good way to overcome discomfort from being stared at, and make you less likely to be targeted by problem photographers. The activity of engaging with bystanders makes you seem less vulnerable and this seems to appeal less to any problem photographers;
- We will again have a sign you can download. Some riders have found this useful in dealing with problem photographers;
- If you have a camera, taking a photograph of persistent photographers and telling them to leave or you'll report them can work too.
Some more information about the photography policy can be found here: UK FAQ
Slogans and Decoration
The World Naked Bike Ride is a protest event designed to raise awareness of issues important to the people taking part. While many of the participants enjoy being out in the city naked on a bicycle, the event is a protest and the more we get our messages across, the more legitimacy the protest can claim.
Decorating you and your bike helps us get the message across and hopefully helps you have some more fun too. Tactically placed body paint can also be a good way to go naked but not put everything on display if that's important to you.
A list of suitable slogans can be found here if you can't think of your own - Slogans
Decoration and leaflets
This year we are providing cloth flags again (donations please, minimum £3.50) and these are stitched to easily fit on bamboo poles which you can tape to your bike frame/rack. We are also providing "race cards" - paper signs that easily attach to the front of your bike with the messages of the WNBR. Donations are appreciated to help us cover the costs. There will be leaflets available which explain the ride more clearly to passers by. These items can be collected from just behind the Info Stall (location to be advised). Please see the London bike decoration page for more detailed suggestions.
Bike decoration
We have some great race cards that you can print on card and then attach to your bike. We recommend you use elastic or twist-ties to secure to your bike. There are PDF instructions here. If you are feeling generous, print and prepare a few extra to give to other riders. There is a selection of four cards for you to choose from; click on the captions to download the full-size card for printing.
Bike rental
For a list of the bike hire locations, visit the following page from London Cycle Campaign (LCC) - List of Cycle Hire Shops in London.
The London Bicycle Tour Company hire bikes to riders from 12.30pm-7pm for £12.
Follow the Instructions for WNBR participants on the London Bicycle Tour Company web site booking page
NOTE: If you are booking for World Naked Bike Ride you must select 'number of days: 16' in the booking form even though you will only be hiring the bike for 1 day. Also, you must select 'W.N.B.R.' as the event. This will bring up the correct discounted price. You will need to book with a credit card or bring a large cash deposit to hire the bike. Bike delivery will not be available for the discount price - bikes must be collected from the shop. Advanced booking is required to guarantee bike availability.
Full details and instructions on how to pre-book your bike are on the London_Bike_Hire page.
Another option is Barclays Cycle Hire. However, this is intended for short journeys, so please make sure that you understand the costs involved. If you rent a bike for 3-6 hours, you pay £1 for the access fee and £35 for the usage fee! This is quite plausible, since the London ride assembles at 15:00 and normally finishes at about 18:00. Also, you may not be able to collect or return a bike at the nearest docking station, if it's empty at the start and full at the end, so you need to allow for extra travelling time.
If you are hiring a bike, and you have a bare bum, please cover the saddle. This will protect you from any dirt, as well as being polite to the next person who uses the bike.
Skate rental
For £10 rental and a £100 deposit, you can hire well maintained SKATES plus full padding from Club Blue Room for the entire day. They can't hire if it's a rainy day. Skates must be undamaged dry and clean when returned. They are located at Marble Arch. Phone for details - 020 7724 4884
Weather
We've had good weather at each of the UK rides so far, indeed stunning hot sunshine in 2006 and 2007. Does that mean statistically we're predicting rain? The ride will not be cancelled in the event of rain, but it just might be shortened. If so, follow the Marshals' instructions.
In any case bring warm dry clothes to change into after the ride, and keep them dry.
A large, thin plastic bag (such as you get from your dry cleaner) could be an effective protection if you want to seem naked in the rain. Maybe we can beat the Vancouver record for most naked riders in the rain!
For a five-day weather forecast, visit one of Met Office, MetCheck or BBC Weather (and choose day).
- The event will take place whatever the weather – please come prepared for rain, cold or blazing heat!
PA equipment
Use of PA equipment or amplification within the Serious and Organised Crime Police Act (SOCPA) zone should be avoided, as it is not-legal. We recommend turning off any sound amplification for the sections of ride along Whitehall, Parliament Square, Westminster Bridge and York Road.
Health & safety
Footwear is required in order to allow riders to come to a safe emergency stop.
Helmets are not compulsory. We advise you to consider the evidence on cycling safety and helmets, then take your own decision on whether to wear a helmet or not.
Bicycles are to be ridden in a manner appropriate for use on the road. All riders should be seated on appropriate seats in line with The Highway Code. Don't take passengers on luggage racks or handlebars.
Owing to safety concerns, runners are no longer permitted in the World Naked Bike Ride in London.
Other Discounts
Hotels and Shows Theatre Breaks are offering a 10% discount hotels in London - places that have committed to accepting guests and their bicycles.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
If you still have questions, see the United Kingdom FAQ and global FAQ. Visit both pages to find out answers to your questions. We've tried to avoid an overlap of information.
Getting Involved
If you're thinking about getting involved Check out the London Get Involved page
Links
There are a number of London_Links relevant to the themes of the event.
