Southampton

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Southampton Naked Bike Ride 2011, © Peter Elliott

The Southampton World Naked Bike Ride is a protest event raising awareness of issues such as safety of cyclists on the road, reducing oil dependence and saving the planet. Find out more about the World Naked Bike Ride Goals here.

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Next ride

Date: FRIDAY, 21st JULY 2023
Time: 6pm (ride will set off around 6.30pm)
Location: East side of Southampton Common at the clearing next to Highfield Road and opposite the junction with Omdurman Road.

Ride details

Assembly point

We will meet on the eastern side of Southampton Common, in the clearing next to Highfield Road and opposite the junction with Omdurman Road. It's also close to the pedestrian underpass if you are approaching from the western side of the Common. Here's a google map showing the spot. If you are using a GPS device, the closest postcode is SO17 1BF.

At 6.30pm we'll hit the streets of Southampton on our beautiful bikes. If you have roller blades, skateboards or other (non-carbon emitting) wheels feel free to use them. The ride will take about an hour most likely.

Dress code

Come as bare as you dare. Nudity makes a great statement, and many of us will be completely naked, but if you're more comfortable in a little clothing, that's fine too. In previous years, riders have worn shorts, bras, swimwear, body paint, wigs, sunglasses etc. Most wear footwear and bring bags to carry clothes. Body painting and adornment, customised bikes and other creative expression are all strongly encouraged.

Route

A 6 mile route taking in Portswood, Bevois Valley, City Centre including Oxford Street, and returning via The Avenue to the start location. The 2012 route is shown here. In brief the route will be: North on Highfield Road, right into Highfield Lane, at junction with Portswood Road, go straight ahead into St Denys Road, then right (past Sainsbury's). PAUSE for the ride to regroup. Turn left into Portswood Road. Follow Portswood Road / Bevois Valley Road / Onslow Road. PAUSE at the junction of Onslow Road and St Mary's Street to allow the ride to regroup. Then, enter Dorset Street and the Charlotte Place (Jury's Inn) roundabout. Take third exit into E Park Terrace. PAUSE in front of Solent Univ for ride to regroup. Continue down Palmerston Road and Queensway. Turn left on Bernard Street then bear right into Oxford St. PAUSE in Oxford St for a brief break. Second left into John Street and left again on Bernard Street. Continue on Bernard Street until turning right into High St. Follow High St to Bargate and PAUSE to regroup. Continue into Above Bar - take care to avoid pedestrians and dismount if necessary. At the traffic lights at the top of Above Bar, bear left and then right into Bedford Place. Take second right into Carlton Place. At T junction with Carlton Crescent, turn right and then left on London Road. Continue onto The Avenue. At Cowherds, take cycle path through The Common, past the pond, then right to the underpass. Finish at the start location on the eastern part of the Common.

Legality

We have notified the police of our intention to ride in protest against oil dependency and in celebration of our bodies. They are fully aware that many/most of our riders will be nude and partially nude as we cycle a route through the streets of Southampton. They are not expected to prevent our nudity.

Simple nudity isn't illegal in the UK, but using nudity to intentionally cause harassment, alarm or distress may be illegal. Don't act offensively and you are very unlikely to be arrested. We have notified the police of our intention to ride in protest against oil dependency and in celebration of bicycles. They are fully aware that many/most of our riders will be nude and partially nude as we cycle a route through the streets of Southampton.

We have been specifically instructed by the police to observe the rules of the road, stopping at red lights and giving way as required at junctions. Please follow this instruction for your own safety and to avoid antagonising non-cyclists. There are several regrouping points on the ride in case the ride gets separated.

Public transport

The start location is a 2.68 mile ride from Southampton Airport Parkway railway station, which is a main stop on the London Waterloo to Bournemouth and Poole line. Here is a recommended cycling route.

Local stations at Swaythling and St Denys are closer still, but trains are less frequent.

Planning

There is much planning still to do and assistance would be appreciated! Please get in touch via southampton@worldnakedbikeride.org if you plan to ride or if you are able to help.

Publicity

Poster and Flyers

We have a great A4 poster and also flyers for the 2012 ride. Please print and display everywhere you can think of where cyclists, environmentalists and freedom-lovers congregate! Download the PDF here:

• Full colour A4 Poster for Southampton
• Flyer for Southampton (front)
• Flyer for Southampton (back)

Press releases

• 14 May 2007: World Naked Bike Ride comes to Southampton
• 17 May 2007: Over 1,000 Naked Cyclists Expected in Five UK Cities for World Naked Bike Ride Weekend

History

See Southampton history

Media coverage

See Southampton media coverage

Photos

See Southampton photos

Videos

See Southampton videos

Links

Websites

• WNBR UK (This page has FAQ info and links to the other UK rides)

See also United Kingdom page

Discussion groups

• Facebook group for discussing the Southampton ride