Seattle

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Date: Saturday 10 June 2006 (4th WNBR Seattle Ride (there were two rides in 2005), 3rd Annual)
Time: (Tentative info) Bodypainting party probably 9am - 12 noon, leave Gas Works Park probably shortly after high noon (first and easier part of ride), arrive at Seattle Center probably between 12.20pm and 12.45pm, leave Seattle Center International Fountain after 15-20 minutes max. Second leg of ride begins after leaving the Seattle Center. Second leg will probably arrive back at Gas Works Park around 3-4pm (no guarantees! Bring a minimum to wear!).
Location: Probably starts at Gas Works Park (stay tuned for more info about other local bike rides!)

For more information see schedule and route planning.

Areas in development

Upcoming events

See Biketivism.org for more event listings.

General meetings

Seattle archive meetings

Meeting #3 being planned....

Contact

There are three ways to contact organizer Daniel Johnson and the WNBR Seattle team:

What to bring

Survival basics

  • Water for the ride (we don't want you to die). Expect to ride about 3 hrs or so including at least two moderate hills. (Some riders may just want to go on the 10-15 ride from Gas Works to the Fountain).
  • Sunscreen (several people reported burns last year, facial/waterproof sunscreen is recommended if you want some on the face without being blinded by it dripping into your eyes). Put on the sunscreen FIRST then allow it to dry a bit before putting on sunscreen.
  • A '"minimum" to wear if necessary (please bring it with you on the ride)
  • Any snack you may want for the ride.
  • Your mobile phone if you are lucky enough to have one.

Wheels

  • Your mutant cycle/skating vehicle (be sure to check it and ride it to make sure it is safe and problem-free before the ride). Be prepared to deal with a flat tire. Ride will probably not stop to help fix your bike (another reason to bring a "minimum" with you to cover up). You never know if your bicycle will fail and we can't throw you and your bike on our backs and bring you with us.
  • A bike lock will come in handy, you might want to bike a lockup buddy to lock your bike up to if there is no rack available at any given stop.
  • Your helmet. Bike helmets now required in Seattle. Fine can be as high as $30. More info.

Good Karma

  • $5-$40+ "love donation" to help pay for our permits, promotional expenses and sound system rental equipment. Help prevent the event coordinators and artists from going broke! They need your help!
  • Invite others! Your significant other, friends, neighbors, co-workers, rabbi, and your entire family to help paint you (Our bodypainters will not be able to get everybody, find a buddy at the ride to help paint you if you need help).
  • Your creativity, a non-antagonistic, fun-loving attitude and common sense when it comes to respecting peoples' personal space and ride safety.

History

Previous WNBR rides

  • Saturday 12 June 2004: WNBR Seattle #1 Gas Works, Seattle Center International Fountain, Capital Hill
  • Saturday 11 June 2005: WNBR Seattle #2 Gas Works, Denny Park, City Hall, Capital Hill
  • Saturday 24 Sept 2005: WNBR Seattle #3 Autumnal Equinox Mini Ride from Myrtle Edwards Park to Discovery Park Beach

Seattle was the second WNBR city to organize a ride after Vancouver BC, and the first United States city to organize a ride. Daniel Johnson met with Conrad Schmidt after both participated in an Artists Against War/Artists for Peace/Work Less Party (AAW/AFP/WLP) Go As Bare as You Dare ride (which Conrad organized) in Vancouver, BC. Conrad expressed interest in creating an international naked cycling event modeled after the rides in Vancouver and Daniel committed to having one in Seattle.

The idea to start off the ride in the Fremont and Wallingford districts of Seattle was because these neighborhoods have been supportive of painted/naked cycling in the past. This is due to the continuing success and growing creativity of the Painted naked cyclists of the Summer Solstice Parade who have been a highlight of the Summer Solstice Parade held annually in Fremont. The Painted Cyclists participate in the artistic spirit and non-political atmosphere of the Summer Solstice Parade in Fremont, held on the Saturday closest to the Summer Solstice (exactly one week after WNBR). The painted cyclists are world famous — no one has outdone them in terms of the numbers of uniquely-made full-body bodypainting and kustom bike jobs!

Gas Works Park has traditionally been the end of the parade route and the end of the naked cycling, yet its easy access to The Burke-Gilman Trail beckons riders to continue on to explore other parts of the greater Seattle area. In addition to the Painted Cyclists, WNBR Seattle was also inspired by the the AAW/AFP/WLP Rides in Vancouver BC and Manifestación Ciclonudista in Spain, which predate WNBR.

With regard to the WNBR Seattle route, Daniel felt that leaving the area via the Fremont Bridge would provide a feeling that the cyclists would cover new ground, outside the established safe-haven of primarily artistic freedoms, into those that also integrate more political and social concerns. In 2004 he stated that "our aspirations are symbolized by our push to reach the International Fountain at the Seattle Center, giving the event an international scope and highlighting the global appeal and need for our message". Having reached that goal, Daniel is encouraging others to reinvent the ride every year, to keep the event fresh and interesting for riders and spectators alike.

In 2003, Conrad and Daniel chose the June 12th, 2004 for WNBR to coincide with other ride events, which predate WNBR; and to take advantage of the nice weather around the Summer Solstice. There was an attempt to combine both painted naked rides in Seattle at the time, however, many of the Solstice Cyclists preferred that their event appear to be more spontaneous and without an overt message, respecting the parade's festive, non-political context. Up until early 2006, the name and e-mailing list of the painted cyclists group was kept somewhat secret to avoid unwanted hassles.

Those participating in WNBR, operate in a distinctly different context and respect the request that the two events stay separate. While both groups strive to have a fun time, those involved with WNBR are also biking in solidarity with others in cities across the globe who wish to engage the public with a message. Up until 2006 they were the only painted/naked ride to openly publicize their events so that a larger number of people have the opportunity to participate. This changed in 2006 when Body Pride Ride launched highly visible naked promo rides during Seattle Critical Mass in March and April 2006, and when the Solsice Cyclists launched their public web site.

In 2005 there were four naked bike rides in Seattle. Three of those occurred in three consecutive saturdays in June alone! The other two Seattle naked cycling events included the painted naked cyclists of the Fremont Solstice Parade (18 June, featuring about 160 riders!), and the premiere of the First Annual Body Pride Ride (BPR, read "beeper"), at the Seattle Pride March on 26 June (see Beeper Yahoo! group). So, with WNBR, that was three separate naked rides in three weeks! In addition to ongoing monthly Critical Mass rides, 2005 marked the First Annual Independence From Oil Day Parade (3 July) and the emergence of the Ghostcycle project, raising awareness of cyclists on the streets with evocative installations around the city.

Goals

(1) Community building. Have fun and express our creativity while engaging and enjoying various communities in Seattle. Celebrate both the diversity and the oneness of the human experience.

(2) Protest oil dependency and advocate renewable energy sources; the joy of cycling; sustainable, car-free transportation solutions; and walkable communities. Bicycles are BEST - Better Ecologically Sustainable Transport.

(3) Bring attention to the local safety concerns of cyclists. There are several extremely dangerous areas in Seattle that are potentially lethal for cyclists [1] and cars alike. These areas need to be renovated NOW and must be addressed in the upcoming Bicycle Master Plan [2]!

  • Southwest end of the Ballard Bridge.
  • Imbedded railroad tracks running in the street at 45th Street NW near the north site of the Ballard Bridge, near the east end of the Burke-Gilman Trail behind the Giant Ballard Fred Meyer.

Help people begin to SEE CYCLISTS [3] and SHARE THE ROAD. Sharing the road does not mean cars get the lane and bikes get THE GUTTER or CAR DOOR LANE! (See also ghostcycle.org)

(4) Rejoice in the power and individuality of our bodies. Promote body-positive ideals and activities. Advocate the development of free beaches in Seattle and encourage more family-friendly, clothing-optional use of community spaces.

(5) Show solidarity with other naked cycling events around the world. Many WNBR events will be riding on June 10th in 2006.

(6) Generate interest in similar progressive and artistic regional events such as those organized by Car Free Seattle, Seattle Hempfest, Fremont Arts Council, painted naked Cyclists of the Summer Solstice Parade, Seattle Critical Mass, The Art of Resistance, The Burning Man Project and Regional Burning Man events.

For more info, please see our [http://worldnakedbikeride.org/seattle/resources/faq.html Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

What to wear? Do not fear!

The World Naked Bike Ride dress code is "Bare As You Dare"... How bare is that ? How dare is that ?...Its all up to you, you decide what you are comfortable with. NO ONE IS EXCLUDED OR DISCRIMINATED AGAINST based on levels of clothing, bodypaint, or anything else, for that matter!

PLEASE be creative and colorful! Bodypainting and bike decorating is highly encouraged!

The laws on nudity, for the most part are a bit vague, difficult and often unpopular to enforce. The principal concern of most citizens is to eliminate creepy, predatory, exploitative, destructive and abusive behavior. WNBR is a fun, inspirational, non-confrontational body-positive event with a positive message of hope. That is why the ride has been such a huge hit and so many are supportive. Just use common sense and mind your manners! Nude is not lewd!

Since most of us did not grow up in a body-positive society, many will look at you with curiosity and amusement. You will probably notice that different sections of town have different cultural reactions to nudity. Some may feel mildly intimidated because they still might have issues with their own bodies and your shameless ways are unsettling to their body-phobic world. Just be friendly and respectful and things should be fine. Remember we are all human and we all have the same parts.

"Gymnophobia (from the Greek word for nude gymnos) is the fear of being (or seeing others) naked. A gymnophobic person usually wants to prevent others from experiencing the freedom of not wearing clothes."

If you are concerned, you probably don't not need to cover up much to be "legal". With the incredible transforming powers of a little body paint, liquid latex, a strategically placed sock, or a piece of duct tape you too can transform the average city streaking naked wild cyclist into "The legal city streaking naked wild cyclist". Be creative a little imagination can change everything.

Links

Websites

Discussion groups

  • WNBR Seattle Yahoo! group 3: General discussion - Ideal for people who to get all general discussion messages. A great place to bring up ideas, talk about concerns and network with others. Plan meetings, parties, and special projects. If you join this group there is no reason for you to join group 2 since this group gets announcements as well.

Location information

Eco and Cruelty-free compliance

Many festivals are going green and cruelty free [4], [5], [6]. WNBR Seattle is produced by The Organic Living Party/Work Less Party USA and strives to join the ranks of others as an eco- and animal -friendly event:

  • Many of our foods offered are vegan and have organic, non-GMO ingredients
  • Our bodypainting tents are made out of Tam Vong and Tonkin bamboo, strung together with jute twine. Franz's tent utilizes bases made out of recycled vegetable containers, discarded construction materials, thatching, Body Painting sign made with recycled cardboard product.
  • Many of our paints our reused from past bodypainting events, we reuse discarded plastic tubs and cups for mixing paints, we reuse old dropclothes
  • We hope to begin using ethanol or biodiesel in our generators. We are also looking at going solar in 2006.
  • We are advocating cycling, one of the most environmentally and efficient personal transportation solutions ever created.
  • We advocate clothing-free recreation, staying clear from unnecessary clothing and consumption.
  • We advocate urban and local cultural events, cutting down on unnecessary engergy to go to far away places to enjoy body-positive art events (like Burning Man, which is held in the middle of a desert).
  • Our policy for our events is "Leave No Trace - Pack it In, Pack it Out".

Have any more suggestions for us? Please let us know. Fill out the form on the main WNBR page and drop us a comment (be sure to select Seattle from the drop down menu)

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