Melbourne March 2008
Contents
WNBR Melbourne 9 March 2008
- WNBR Melbourne 9 March 2008
Post Ride Press Release
by Heidi Hill
released 9th of March 2008
The World Naked Bike Ride
Melbourne 2008
Around 40-50 cyclists took part today in one of many national 'rides of protest' under the global umbrella of the World Naked Bicycle Ride.
The World Naked Bike Ride is the biggest naked protest in the world....where we face automobile traffic with our naked bodies as the best way of defending our dignity and exposing the unique dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians plus all the negative effects of oil, cars, war, consumerism and non-renewable energy.
Cyclists, from first time riders to some who have taken part in past WNBR all came together for the day and even the family group with eager kids enjoyed the ride with a difference to make a difference.
Two police officers met the group in the park while they were painting their bodies with slogans and preparing for the ride. They were willing to offer any support and confirmed that riding naked was not a problem especially in the liberal minded Fitzroy precinct. Not long after 2 squad cars and senior police arrived and after discussions with the police the ride was escorted to ensure that the safety of the riders was observed and also so that the riders didn't offend any onlookers. Women were allowed to ride naked but men were considered offensive. Melbourne is the only city in Australia where men were not allowed to ride naked yet women were allowed to be completely naked. It seems discriminatory against men to say that they are somehow inherently obscene due to a chance of birth.
Cyclist all gathered together in Fitzroy and after a requested 'parade lap' of the local community cricket match proceeded towards the city along bustling Rathdowne, Lygon and Victoria steets.
At Parliment House they stopped and raised their bicycles as a symbol of protest to todays issues, under the eyes of the bemused State Security officers.
They continued on to their destination along the famous Brunswick Street strip where they were cheered on as they rode on a picture perfect afternoon in Melbourne. They were cheered and car horns tooted as the colourful group spread cheer and the message about sustainability, positive body image and a more bike friendly Melbourne.
After completing our ride down a very quiet Brunswick Street we got back to the park for a photo shoot after finally debriefing. The group styed on for hours to laugh and chat and share our feelings and joy about the positive day we had. Promises were made to do it again and some and very soon! We now are the proud AUSTRALIAN RECORD HOLDERS for the most number of attendees... .I can only see us improve on that next year when the ride will not be held on the same long weekend.
Other rides took place successfully today or yesterday in Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Brisbane and of course Byron Bay.
9 March 2008 Ride Report
by Marte Kinder
40 to 50 riders rode in the Melbourne World Naked Bike Ride 2008. The riders were told by Police that the male body was illegal although the female body was not. Several female riders rode completely naked while all men were threatened with arrest by Police if they did not wear pants. Riders posed naked on the steps of VIC Parliament House. Ride went along Brunswick and Lygon Streets. The rides rode around the pitch of a cricket game after being invited by local cricketers at Fitzroy who stopped play to invite the riders. No riders were arrested. The riders found that Red Symonds (ex Skyhooks) had followed the ride in his car after having complained of WNBR (NIMBY style) on his own morning radio show during an interview with the WNBR Melbourne Organiser (Heidi Hill). Pictures of Red Symonds caught following the riders will be published soon.
Location
Gather at 4:00pm at the Fitzroy Memorial Rotunda in Edinburg Gardens, Fitzroy North (on the north side of the gardens). Ride leaves at 5:00pm.
Ride details
Go as bare as you dare!
Protest oil dependency!
Celebrate the power and individuality of our bodies!
Bring bike decorations, body (or finger) paint and your smile. Don’t worry, we’re all a bit shy when it comes to public nudity – bring your bathers if you’d like and grab a drink at the pub for a bit of Dutch courage. We’ll ride through the friendly streets of Melbourne’s inner North, putting smiles on the faces of onlookers, and challenging attitudes towards nudity, transportation and public space.
Afterward: socialising, merriment and BYO food and drinks.
Publicity: flyers, posters, images etc
Below is the latest version of the .JPG Poster / Flyer.
Follow the link to the earlier versions of the Adobe Acrobat flyer and Microsoft Word flyer.
Earlier Events where WNBR Melbourne was represented
Film Festival
Presented by World Naked Bike Ride, Melbourne:
- Date: Friday 11 April 2008
- Time: 5:30pm for 6:00pm
- Venue: Bar Open, 317 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 3065, phone (03) 94159601.
(Note: some publicity flyers have been distributed with the address for Bar Open as 303 Brunswick St which should have been written as the correct 317 Brunswick Street).
- Selection of films and possibly slides of more photographs by MitH.
None of the films have been screened in Melbourne before and they are all uplifting and inspiring. If you love biketivism, environmentalism, pacifism or naturism these films are something you must see.
Productions on the programme include:
- World Naked Bike Ride, The Documentary by High Altitude Films from the UK about the WNBR London in 2004 and 2005 (this film was selected as a finalist in the Wildscreen International Film Festival 2006).
- Indecent Exposure to Cars: The Story of the World Naked Bike Ride! by Conrad Schmidt. Ragtag Productions, 2007. 60 minute feature length film tells the story of WNBR and features footage of many of the WNBRs held around the world plus interviews with many prominent coordinators and organisers.
- Along for the ride a no_e production. Shot and edited by Yasmin Bright. 10min short documentary film about the WNBR Nudecastle 2007. Winner of the People's Choice Award at the 2007 Cultural Stomp.
- Various short films documenting the first Brighton and Hove UK WNBR in 2006. There are about a dozen of these.
- Cycle Activists of Newcastle Australia by Rowanmacs Photography and Novacast. A 30min film documenting bike activism (including Critical Mass, WNBR and the White Bicycle Project) in Newcastle and the fight to save the rail.
- Painted Cyclists, 2004 Fremont Solstice Ride shot and edited by Jimmy and Elizabeth, still photos by John Cornicello.
- Naked and Painted: Solstice Riders 2003 Shindig Productions in association with Freecycles Propoganda. Shot by Master Ken Martin, The Amazing Steve, Jimmy Cleary. Edited by Jimmy Cleary.
- Other WNBR and Biketivism films and there are too many to list here
Planning Meeting Number 2
Meet and discuss planning and roles for WNBR Melbourne 2008:
- Date: Fri 8th February
- Time: 10AM
- Place: Mario's at 303 Brunswick St Fitzroy
Please let me know if plan to come, or if you'd like to come but can't
make it. Heidi
Planning Meeting Number 1
Hi All,
It's time to meet and plan the 2008 ride.
Therefore I propose the following:
- Date: Tues 15 January
- Time: 7:30PM
- Place: Union Club Hotel, corner of Gore & Webb Sts, Fitzroy (a nice bike-friendly pub)
Please let me know if plan to come, or if you'd like to come but can't
make it. Alex AKA bikefunnist
WNBR is a pretty easy event to pull-off; it just takes a few motivated
people. You should be one of those people. It will be fun and rewarding.
peace,
-bikefunnist
- Return to Melbourne page.
