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Join us for San Francisco's Southern Hemisphere World Naked Bike Ride. A few brave souls rode around San Francisco completely naked last March in surprisingly good weather. This will be a nice warmup to our larger June event especially for those who favor a smaller, less origanized version of the ride. If you want to standout and make a statement, this is the ride for you. And, please join us for the June ride too and have twice the fun!
Next ride
Date: Saturday March 12, 2011.
Time: 12 noon.
Location: North end of Justin Herman Plaza near Market St. and the Embarcadero, across from the Ferry Building. Meet on the north side of the large fountain next to the large grassy area. See the map on the right.
Ride details
Schedule
WeatherVery often the weather in March is free of fog unlike June where the coastal fog rolls in on a regular basis. But, the temperatues in March can be a little on the brisk side. Check the local weather at the following sites: Getting thereIf you live out of town, please try to use public transportion to get to the start of the ride. Parking in the area is limited and expensive. Both BART and CalTrain take bicycles. Check out these websites for details: RouteThe route for the March ride is pretty much where we decide to go when we meet on the day of the ride. The SF Police let us ride fully nude anywhere we want except within city parks and the Presido. We generally tour the more picturesque and populous areas of San Francisco which usually, but not always includes: The Ferry Building, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, The Marina, The Palace of Fine Arts, Union Square and United Nations Plaza. A significant portion of our regular WNBR riders live in the Castro District so that has become a popular stop, as well. Ride Pace and DifficultyThe ride is at a slow to moderate pace with frequent stops so we can show off our decorated naked bodies and bikes, chant protest slogans and allow the public to take photos. We try to stay on level ground but San Francisco is a hilly place, so some hills are to be expected. If the route takes us up the rare steep hill we walk so no one is left behind. |
Alternative ParticipationBeing California, everyone does things differently. We want to offer the broadest possible welcome. First of all, obey all the Laws of Comfort! There's no nudity requirement. Whether you come clothed in a full-length Fun-Fur or just a top hat, come as bare as you dare. Most riders carry some minimal clothing to wear when arriving and departing the group. Skates Secondly, skaters are welcome. Some skaters have joined us repeatedly! Since skaters tend to expend about 2x as much energy, and tend to roll 50% slower than bikers, skaters may wish to follow an abbreviated but comparable route by linking the level grades in the beginning and ending segments of the ride. One very accomlished naked skater in the 2010 SF WNBR skated up and down the steepest part of Lombard Street, The Crookedest Street in the World, to everyone's amazement.
Public Nudity in San FranciscoLiberal San Francisco is accustomed to people going completely naked on public streets in broad daylight. Other city events where open nudity is common are Critical Mass rides, Bay-to-Breakers, the Folsom Street Fair and Gay Pride events. Basically, as long as you only go naked in public streets and stay out of any city or federal parks you are good. Going naked outside the main group does increase your chances of being cited for something whether justified or not. There's more safety in numbers. Inform yourself of the local nudity laws before you bare all in case you have to explain yourself. This File:SF WNBR.Nudity laws.pdf (~1.7Mbs) contains the actual codes and regulations (with references) regarding nudity so you can educate anyone who may question your right to go naked in public. Always treat the authorities with courtesy and respect and dress when ordered to do so. (If you need help interpreting the codes, please seek the advice of a lawyer.) Our fearless ride coordinator did have a run-in with one somewhat misinformed SF police officer in the early days of the SF WNBR. Since then the police have been better informed and even helpful in escorting naked riders through crowded intersections and in guiding the group to certain destinations when necessary. |
Subpages
FAQ
This page contains questions and answers to many of the more common concerns regarding the SF WNBR.
Ride Safety
This page discusses safety issues when riding around San Francisco. Thanks to Leo for this.
Photos
This page contains links to high resolution photo collections covering previous ride. (Obviously, these photos contain images of public nudity.)
Publicity
This page contains links to news articles covering previous SF WNBR events. (Some news reports contain images of public nudity.)
Flyers
This page contains links to flyers and other promotional materials for past and future SF WNBR events. (Most flyers contains images of public nudity.)
These are answers to some questions sent in via the main WNBR site
• I'd love to help with the SF ride. Is it happening?
A: Yes! TOTALLY -It's Happening! lolz. To get involved, to offer your help- Join our yahoogroup list-serve discussion. Then you can help publicize the Event right now, using flyers available below! Thanks so much.
• Tempting... but I feel concerned, I'm kind of shy.
A: Come as you are! Wear just as much as you care, or as little as you dare. WNBR is about having a good time, and making the world a better place.
Come show that space is. But remember it's a party.
• I'd love to do something like this- but I'm also worried! What about the law?
A: SF_WNBR has been held for 7 years without any legal incident in SF. This is b/c in SF we are able to observe the Event while complying with all the laws. Nude is not lewd in California, nor in SF. Other cities' and counties' restrictions vary. eg., Berkeley has a 15-year-old anti-nudity law that we havent seen enforced lately. San Diego is planning on enforcing their antique prudery laws.
• Will there be roller-skaters /skateboarders at this event? I'd like to join you, but I like to skate /board nude.
A: We're good if you're good- Come as you are! We ride on public right-of-way, and our route can be adapted to changing modes and energy.
You are free to leave "the group" at any point.
• Can I ride with my dog on a leash?
A: I'd first ask the dog if they're comfortable running along a bike. Then it may be prudent to ask a policeman. SF_WNBR is a DIY event, and while you're free to do as you like while on the city streets-- we do also ask everyone to co-operate with the law.
• I'd love to do something like this in LA.
A: LA has had a short WNBR ride in the past. SF's is still growing. Join our discussion as WNBR activities expand across California.
• Will WNBR happen in my city?
A: You can check the situation in the USA here:.
If you dont see your home- YOU can HELP START YOUR OWN RIDE!
• Can you rent a bike or do you have to have your own?
A: You can rent various bikes near our start point, at a stand at #5 Embarcadero Center near the cable-car turntable, at Market, California & Drumm Streets- in front of the Hyatt Regency. It's called
Bike_&_Roll; 1-866-RENT-A-BIKE.
Or- ask around our discussion group- You might uncover a Good Samaritan and make a friend.
• Where can we watch Indecent Exposure to Cars when it comes out?
A: "Indecent Exposure to Cars" is advertised on the main WNBR site (based in Vancouver Canada). Check with them for updates.
• "I saw it today...must be there for all future rides.
"I'd be willing to have The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence help promote the next ride and make it the biggest ever!!!"
A: Amen!
• When is the ride?!
A: SF_WNBR rides each summer, in the second week of June- as well as additional days thru the year, such as one to co-incide with the WNBR Southern Hemisphere Ride date. Please follow the discussion group to learn of additional rides.
Ride Safety
Please inform yourself about safe and lawful bicycling practices
~&
Please ride a safe and legal SF_WNBR.
- SF-WNBR is a 'DIY' event. Please insure the safety of your own bicycle before participating in the Event.
- SF-WNBR is a 'DIY' event. Please insure the safety of your own bicycle before participating in the Event.
Some drivers find nudists distracting. We do not want to confuse drivers, especially regarding our movements while on the road!
So we tend to obey the traffic laws. It is possible as bicyclists to observe the law while also having fun --
if we ride with a courteous and friendly mind, aware of our surroundings.
Please refrain from lane-splitting if so directed by law-enforcement. In California, 'lane-splitting' is both the norm, and 'technically illegal' even when CHP moto-cops are doing it. Please do not occupy more than one lane if it would block other traffic.
As DIY ambassadors of WNBR, Event Participants are encouraged to "'set the example'" of
a progressive society-by projecting personally-responsible energies.
Rear Views: Having tried over a score of rear-view mirrors, from helmet-mounted designs & even handlebar-attached- The Take A Look mirror is the *only* design I've seen which both follows the eye- and doesnt swing about or vibrate infuriatingly. It's also an unusually well-built piece, made of light, modular, replaceable 'metal' parts! Made in Santa Cruz and sold at REI. under $20. User:Hilarleo
- Sensitive areas which are normally covered- particularly bums, backs-of-knees, and various crotches-
- can sunburn quite quickly in summer.
- These very special areas can also be hard to protect from chafing later on.
- Please consider a Sun-Block!
Scrapbook
2004 WNBR
- SF rides the first WNBR in 2004 with about 40 mostly male riders. We gathered at noon in the Embarcadero near the North end of Justin Herman Plaza (just North of the huge fountain with all of the cubic shapes) and head out at 1 PM along Market St to the Castro district. Did we ever stop for pictures? I dont think so. Who knew we were so beautiful?
- IndyMedia/Indybay
- Basetree
2004 July
- Then right away, the next month we did it agin! But this time, in celebration of Nat'l Naked Awareness Day, we were protected by a new group of the WNBR angels.
- A few weeks later we got to teach the SF City District Attorney, and SFPD cop John Velasquez, about respect for the law when the SFPD cited 5 of the July riders group.
2005
- Area body painters ask to work on us, gratis.
2008
- 2008- SFPD begin shadowing our Ride. "In case we need it".
- San Francisco Weekly
2009
- At the 2009 event there were around 120 riders. We head out at 1 PM when the body painters have done their work.
We keep a steady pace heading almost to Golden Gate Park. We stop, rest and then turn around in SF's (Panhandle) to return to Embarcadero. We also stop and rest (and pose for photos) on the Polk St. steps of City Hall (there is usually some Saturday event going on in the Civic Center Park).
2010
- March 2010 we had our first "Winter WNBR", in solidarity with the Southern Hemisphere WNBR.
- SF Weekly, 16 Mar, 2010: "World Naked Bike Ride"
Publicity
Flyers
Flyers are available at
JAZ' WNBR_SF Support Page
sfbikeride.org-
or through our SF-WNBR Facebook fan-page.
