Edinburgh
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Contents
Next ride
Date: Saturday, 13th or Saturday 20th of June 2020 TBC (The 13th clashes with pride.)
Time: 2pm Meet from 1pm.
Location: Middle Meadow Walk, Meadows, Edinburgh
Pre-ride body painting at Forrest Cafe. TBC See Below.
Ride information
Saddle covers
We have saddle covers, available on the day for £2. Please email [email protected] if you want one, as we only have a very limited number.
Dress Code: "Is Nudity mandatory?"
It's not such a silly question when you think about the name of the event but No, nudity is not mandatory.
For the second time in Edinburgh, a change in the application of the law means nudity will be possible. Last year 3/4 of the way around, we were asked to cover up. This time we have concrete assurances from the police that they will allow us to remain naked if we are just protesting on our bikes. Edinburgh is no longer the only clothed WNBR on the planet!
In previous years, obliged to be part covered, riders have worn shorts, bras, swimwear, body paint, wigs, sunglasses etc. Most wear footwear. This year we can be naked :) Bring a bag to carry your clothes, as we can't promise they would still be there on your return if you left them in the Meadows. If your bike breaks down and you don't have something to wear you will be naked and alone in the middle of Edinburgh... It would be legal to push it back to the start naked, but you might not feel confident doing this.
Body painting and adornment, customised bikes and other creative expression are all strongly encouraged. It is ok to put a flag or banner on your bike, just make sure that it is secure, and not likely to get caught in the machinery!
See also the United Kingdom FAQ for more information on this topic
Legality
We are assured by the fiscals office, and the police that simply being naked is not illegal. See the British Naturism advice at [1]
We are also assured by Edinburgh Police that for 2020, their control will be made aware of the guidance that being naked in public is legal. However don't do anything to harass, alarm or distress people, and nothing you wouldn't do clothed. Anything other than going about your normal, legal, business (Like protesting whilst riding your bike.) could be seen as harassing, alarming, or distressing people, and that could be illegal. Play nice.
last year 2019, we rode about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way around the route naked before the police asked us to cover up. They were polite about it, and sounded genuinely disappointed that they had to ask us. In 2020, there should be no need to get dressed.
This is an organised event, the police are aware, but don't feel it justifies an escort. They usually come and see us off from the Meadows. The Police were fantastic and friendly in previous years and this event would like to continue having an amicable relationship.
The clothing options are pretty simple: Bare-as-you-Dare. Decoration! Bring an emergency cover up!
Now on to the fun stuff: Decoration!
Decoration
Lets have fun with it. In previous years people were plastering each other with body paint and wearing comedy G-strings.
We will do our best to provide some screens to get changed behind, and apply decoration. This is in case you don't want to go naked.
Why not have a 'painting-party' beforehand, and really go to town? We hope to be able to run a pre-ride paint-up, at the Forest cafe from about 1130am to about 1300. It's downstairs in their gallery space. Donations for paint, and to Forrest, bring a towel to sit on in case you want to go upstairs into the cafe. They are ok with painted/naked people, upstairs, as long as they are well behaved. It's DIY, with advice from an experienced bodypainter. Get a buddy to paint the bits you can't reach! Be aware that a complicated all over painting scheme takes ages! We have stencils, paint, brushes, body-paint crayons and sponges.
Best of all, take some inspiration from other rides around the world, many of which manage to post pictures that are totally work-safe due to the sheer weight of ornamentation!
Photography
Edinburgh prefers riders rather than photographers. Rider-photographers are OK but we will probably be using the London photography policy [2] unless posted otherwise. It contains some good advice for both riders and Photographers. Riders should note that when EWNBR started, most photographers were at the start. On the route it was mostly random tourists. Now everyone has a phone or tablet with a camera. If you are worried about appearing online, possibly a hat or wig, some fancy dress, and a pair of dark sunglasses may reduce the chance of being recognised. If you do take pictures, there is a flickr group at [3] any photos that publicise our cause are good, but play nice and if someone indicates that they are unwilling to be photographed, please respect that. There will be a "No photography zone." for changing/body painting behind a screen.
What if I don't have a bike?
It is possible to hire bikes in Edinburgh.[4] or [5]There are several shops, and we now have our own version of the Boris Bikes. [6]If you use any of these, we strongly suggest that you put some sort of cover over the saddle. After all, you don't know where it's been! We have WNBR saddle covers, as used by London WNBR. £2. Contact us to reserve one via facebook or our email [email protected]
Could I use some other form of human powered transport?
Yes, but the route has some hills, both up and down. Whatever you use needs to be roadworthy, and have brakes! Otherwise you will probably end up as a smear on the side of a bus or tram!
What if my Bike Breaks Down?
Please try to ensure it doesn't! Check it over and fix anything that needs it the day before. Make sure it's roadworthy. If something does break, we will carry some tools, but if it's something that needs more than two minutes to fix, we can't wait. We will wait while you cover up, but you will then have to make your own way back to the start, or home!
What if I fall off or otherwise injure myself?
There will be first aiders present. Tell a steward.
Directions
Middle Meadow Walk is a long tree lined avenue through the Meadows Park. At the north end of the Walk is Teviot Place and at the south end is Argyle Place. Here is a map Here is an excellent photograph that shows what Middle Meadows Walk looks like.
Publicise the ride
Please share our Facebook event [7] or retweet us @wnbredinburgh
Get involved
If you want to get more actively involved in the ride, join our group There's a call for volunteers to help organise it. Volunteer! We still need more stewards and first aiders.
History
2019
First ever fully naked ride in Edinburgh
Again cold and wet. About 13.5 C. (56.3F) The downpour stopped for the actual ride, but 12 people braved the showers and cold wind. Most of them naked. Due to a communication issue between different parts of the police force, we were requested to cover up about 3/4 of the way around the route. It later turned out that of the thousands of people who must have seen us, one had complained! In future the police will tell people that riding a bike naked is legal! The route was modified to avoid another protest, so we cycled all of the Royal Mile, including its crowds of tourists. Photos here [8]
2011
Saturday 11 June 2011
In spite of temperatures of less than ten degrees and continuous rain, 10 people were still game enough to make the ride wearing only bodypaint and some scraps of lycra. The ride started at approx 4:30pm, half an hour late due to a last minute storage issue.
2010
Saturday 12 June 2010
Our WNBR started at 3pm with about 20 to 30 participants - check pictures below
2009
Saturday 13 June 2009
Ride report:
2008
Sunday 29 June 2008
Ride report:
2004
A partially-clothed WNBR took place in Edinburgh on 12 June 2004 and it had more participants than the London ride on the same day. At least one rider participated in both rides!
Photos
2011
- David Monteith-Hodge (flickr.com)
- Yao Hui (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
2010
- sandy_beach_cat (flickr.com - tagged as adult, flickr sign in required)
- byronv2 (flickr.com)
- WNBR EDINBURGH 2010! (facebook.com)
2008
Videos
2011
- a short film by Andy Cameron of the start of the ride (Youtube.com)
Media coverage
2011
- Edinburgh Spotlight, 4 May 2011: "11th June will see naked* cyclists assemble at Middle Meadow Walk"
- The Scotsman, 25 May 2011: "Cyclists gearing up to grin and bare it " By Laura Cummings
2010
- The Scotsman, 08 June 2010: "Cyclists not allowed to let it all hang out for naked event " By Rory Reynolds
- Edinburgh Guide, 12 June 2010: "World Naked Bike Ride in Edinburgh"
2008
- The Herald, 24 May 2008: "Cyclists’ naked ambition to take to the capital’s streets" by Brian Donnelly
2004
- Scotsman, 11 Jun 2004: "The naked truth" (Opinion piece)
- BBC News, 12 Jun 2004: "Protest cyclists opt to cover up"
- Sunday Herald, 13 Jun 2004: "Edinburgh covers up after protests"
- Scotsman, 14 Jun 2004: "Barely no trouble at naked ride"
Links
Websites
- WNBR 2019 Edinburgh Facebook event
- WNBR Edinburgh Facebook group
- Critical Mass Edinburgh
- WNBR UK (This page has FAQ info and links to the other UK rides)
See also United Kingdom page
Discussion group/s
- WNBR UK Yahoo! group for Announcements and discussion of all UK rides.
See also United Kingdom page
Location information
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