London
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On Saturday 11 June 2011 the eighth London World Naked Bike Ride rode the streets of the capital, allowing riders to see the city sights from the comfort of a bike, skates and pedal rickshaws. The bad weather held off and over 1000 people took part to protest against oil dependency and car culture.
- London is the largest daytime WNBR event in the world. We had 1,000 participants on Saturday 12 June 2010!!! Previously we had 1,200 (2009), 1,000 (2007 & 2008), 800 (2006), 250 (2005) and 58 (2004).
- A big thank-you is owed to Team Green Britain Bike Week! They've been brilliant, and we're proud to be part of Bike Week.
- People are also encouraged to join rides in other UK cities – including nearby Brighton and Southampton – which are typically scheduled to take place on different days from London, around the same weekend
- The event will take place whatever the weather – please come prepared for rain, cold or blazing heat!
- For press enquiries see the media information page on the main site
- To receive updates on WNBR London, please join our Yahoo Group
- Follow us on Twitter
The London WNBR is part of Team Green Britain Bike Week (16-24 June 2012).
Please donate to the WNBR UK Fund
The UK World Naked Bike Ride fund meets the cost of insuring rides
across the UK, and provides local organisers with money for
poster/flyer printing, advertising, ride equipment etc.
Please give generously.
Contents
Next ride
Date: Saturday 9 June 2012
Time: 3pm assembly, for 3.30pm departure
Location: Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner (NOT in Hyde Park)
Ride details
Body Painting and Body Painting Area (informal/small) from 1.30pm till 3pm
We encourage all riders to buy some body paints for themselves and get painted up before they come to the ride. People who wish to use the WNBR body paints, are welcome to do so.
A list of suitable slogans can be found here if you can't think of your own - Slogans
There is an informal arrangement for a bodypainting group this year. We will provide body paints, stencils and sponge brushes but no official body painters. Nudity will not be permitted during body painting (equivalent of bathing costume coverage must be worn). Large numbers won't be permitted. Photography won't be allowed.
To learn the location of the informal body painting area, please call or text Will at 07903 019696. This should keep the body-painting relatively private.
See below for more information on Body Painting
Wear clothes before and after the ride
Do not undress before 3pm around Wellington Arch, as this will undermine our positive relationship with Westminster. There is no law against nudity in Britain, but please don't exercise your right to nudity in London before the ride, as it may impact on our ability to make arrangements with police. Feel free to undress in the UK at any other time of the year, as this will not have any impact on the WNBR.
Many passers by and photographers who know about the event WILL turn up and take photographs before the ride begins. You only need to get undressed just before the ride if you are uncomfortable doing so with all of the photographers are around. Traffic and congestion will probably pause the protest at various points over the route. If you don't like the idea of being photographed while sitting at a red light, bring something you can cover up with quickly and easily put on and take off.
Some more information about the photography policy can be found here: UK FAQ
Assembly area
You can assemble for the ride on the island inside the Hyde Park Corner roundabout, near the Wellington Arch (map link) any time between 3:00 and 3:30pm. You can stay dressed as long as you want, but don't get undressed before 3:00pm. If you turn up before 3:00pm, Stewards will ask you to leave and return at 3:00. See the section below to read why. Be prepared to form up ready for departure at about 3:25pm. The ride will be starting at 3:30pm.
Route and start location
Details of the likely route are below - Route
It's a really good idea to take your clothes with you on the ride. We don't finish exactly where we started. Make sure they are secured though. You don't want to be the person who lost their clothes on the ride or the one who's friend's decided the ride was taking too long, they had better things to do and went home with your clothes.
Ride length
9 miles. Very few hills. An easy, leisurely ride!.
Finish
In 2012 the plan is, as in previous years, to finish at the Wellington Arch. When you arrive at the end of the ride, congratulate yourself and fellow riders on staging a successful protest. The finish area will not be a venue for prolonged naked socialising. So when you've found your friends, taken your photographs and celebrated the highlights of the ride, please get dressed and move on to continue your celebrations elsewhere. In particular, please note that playing games, such as Frisbee or ball games, in the finish area is not allowed.
The dispersal will commence as soon as the ride finishes. People will be asked by Stewards to leave the roadway, dress and depart immediately.
Dispersal
Get dressed before you leave the finish area. If you decide to move into surrounding areas, please show consideration for others. Remember that any misbehaviour that is associated with WNBR riders may jeopardise our ability to continue assembling anywhere in London in future years.
After Ride Celebration
There are no official after ride parties planned for 2012. Anyone arranging gatherings elsewhere or parties in the evening is not affiliated with the World Naked Bike Ride.
Extended ride option
2010 Sipson Ride Extension
In 2010 an optional 15.5 mile extension to the main WNBR route was available to demonstrate support for the campaigners who saved the village of Sipson (which was due to be demolished to allow a third Heathrow runway to be built). Options were considered for running a similar event, but a suitable issue to protest and people to manage the ride were not identified. If you have any suggestions for an extension ride to be run in future, get in touch.
Ride support
Bike rental
For a list of the bike hire locations, visit the following page from London Cycle Campaign (LCC) - List of Cycle Hire Shops in London.
The London Bicycle Tour Company hire bikes to riders from 12.30pm-7pm for £12.
Follow the Instructions for WNBR participants on the London Bicycle Tour Company web site booking page
NOTE: If you are booking for World Naked Bike Ride you must select 'number of days: 16' in the booking form even though you will only be hiring the bike for 1 day. Also, you must select 'W.N.B.R.' as the event. This will bring up the correct discounted price. You will need to book with a credit card or bring a large cash deposit to hire the bike. Bike delivery will not be available for the discount price - bikes must be collected from the shop. Advanced booking is required to guarantee bike availability.
Full details and instructions on how to pre-book your bike are on the London_Bike_Hire page.
Another option is Barclays Cycle Hire. However, this is intended for short journeys, so please make sure that you understand the costs involved. If you rent a bike for 3-6 hours, you pay £1 for the access fee and £35 for the usage fee! This is quite plausible, since the London ride assembles at 15:00 and normally finishes at about 18:00. Also, you may not be able to collect or return a bike at the nearest docking station, if it's empty at the start and full at the end, so you need to allow for extra travelling time.
If you are hiring a bike, and you have a bare bum, please cover the saddle. This will protect you from any dirt, as well as being polite to the next person who uses the bike.
Skate rental
For £10 rental and a £100 deposit, you can hire well maintained SKATES plus full padding from Club Blue Room for the entire day. They can't hire if it's a rainy day. Skates must be undamaged dry and clean when returned. They are located at Marble Arch. Phone for details - 020 7724 4884
Decoration and leaflets
This year we are providing cloth flags again (donations please, minimum £3.50) and these are stitched to easily fit on bamboo poles which you can tape to your bike frame/rack. We are also providing "race cards" - paper signs that easily attach to the front of your bike with the messages of the WNBR. Donations are appreciated to help us cover the costs. There will be leaflets available which explain the ride more clearly to passers by. These items can be collected from just behind the Info Stall (location to be advised). Please see the London bike decoration page for more detailed suggestions.
Photography policy
Please keep referring to the London photography policy as things progress, which will make it clear what photography behaviour is unwelcome. If presence of photographers makes people uncomfortable, we recommend riders consider adopting the following measures:
- The most effective measure is to avoid disrobing at the assembly. Simply wear something that can be easily removed when the ride pauses on route. The problem photography rarely occurs during the ride;
- Verbally address the photographer by saying "Go away, I do not wish to be photographed". At the same time, hold up your hand to indicate the universal gesture of "stop/halt/no". If this doesn't work, address the people near to you, asking them to stand between you and the photographer;
- Leafleting before and during the ride may be a good way to overcome discomfort from being stared at, and make you less likely to be targeted by problem photographers. The activity of engaging with bystanders makes you seem less vulnerable and this seems to appeal less to any problem photographers;
- We will again have a sign you can download. Some riders have found this useful in dealing with problem photographers;
- If you have a camera, taking a photograph of persistent photographers and telling them to leave or you'll report them can work too.
PA equipment
Use of PA equipment or amplification within the Serious and Organised Crime Police Act (SOCPA) zone should be avoided, as it is not-legal. We recommend turning off any sound amplification for the sections of ride along Whitehall, Parliament Square, Westminster Bridge and York Road.
Health & safety
Footwear is required in order to allow riders to come to a safe emergency stop.
Helmets are not compulsory. We advise you to consider the evidence on cycling safety and helmets, then take your own decision on whether to wear a helmet or not.
Bicycles are to be ridden in a manner appropriate for use on the road. All riders should be seated on appropriate seats in line with The Highway Code. Don't take passengers on luggage racks or handlebars.
Owing to safety concerns, runners are no longer permitted in the World Naked Bike Ride in London.
Objectives and demands
Each year, the World Naked Bike Ride collective in London agrees on a set of objectives and demands for the year's ride. The objectives and demands of the ride are shown below.
In 2011 the main theme of the ride will be improving safety for cyclists. We are also supporting the LCC Safer Lorries Campaign
Objectives
- Obtain real rights for cyclists and demonstrate the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets
- Protest against the global dependency on oil
- Curb car culture
- Celebrate body freedom
Demands
- “Real rights for bikes”:
- Safer streets for cyclists
- Cycle-only zones in cities
- Separate 2-way cycle lanes
- A ban on car advertising
Participating in the ride
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
See the United Kingdom FAQ and global FAQ. Visit both pages to find out answers to your questions. We've tried to avoid an overlap of information.
Route
Arranging the route for the WNBR requires negotiation with multiple authorities, working around other events, some of which are planned well in advance and others which occur on very short notice. The WNBR isn't the London Marathon and can't agree roads being closed months in advance. We try and ensure the route goes past many of the London landmarks where it will be seen by people on the streets. This helps to promote the goals of the protest ride whilst letting you see London doing something a little bit different. We do try to announce the route beforehand, but sometimes it is difficult to do so without having to change it at the last minute. This is why the route isn't always available beforehand and may even change on the day at the discretion of the lead marshal.
The current plan is to follow a route similar to 2011 but starting from as well as finishing at Wellington Arch --a circular 9.3 mile (14.9km) route of mostly flat cycling. The 2012 route should see you passing the London landmarks of Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament, London Eye, Royal Courts of Justice, Ludgate, St Paul's Cathedral, Covent Garden, The Mall and Wellington Arch.
The detailed route for Saturday 9 June 2012 is on BikeMap.net here. The list of streets passed in 2011 can be seen here.
Legality
The WNBR London organising collective has been working closely with the Metropolitan police since 2005; they are fully aware of the nature of the protest and supportive of our right to make it. We have excellent relations with the police; most years they assist with traffic control and have had their own riders accompanying us (although they keep their uniforms on).
Contrary to popular opinion, there is no law against nudity in England and you will not be arrested simply for being nude on this protest. Visit our FAQ answer for more information.
Notice: The terms of the 2011 ride have been agreed with the police as in previous years.
Body painting
NOTICE: There is an informal body painting area arrangement (see ride details above). We encourage all riders to buy some body paints for themselves and get painted up before they come to the ride.
The best way to make sure you are ready for the ride is to get painted at home beforehand. Wear loose-fitting clothing that won't rub it off, and you can always leave final details and touch-ups for the ride. For advice on getting and using body paint, see the UK FAQs. The easiest thing is to have a friend body-paint you, but you can paint yourself if it's an all-over-in-one-colour or message on your legs.
For people who aren't able to paint themselves at home, you may wish to do some body painting just before the ride, but you'll have to bring your own paints and painters. From 2006 till 2008, we provided a body painting service from professional painters such as Sitech Creations Ltd [1]. In 2009, there was no official body painting area. We had difficulty due to growing numbers of ride participants, agressive photographers, and the short time available in Hyde Park. Details for the running on an informal body painting session can be found in the ride details section above.
Photographers can be a problem at the ride start especially while body painting is taking place. If you notice photographers crowding around someone who is being painted, please politely enquire whether the subject of the photograph is happy to be photographed. If they aren't happy being photographed, please ask the photographers to stop, and consider standing between the photographers and subject (in a polite but assertive manner).
Please don't photograph riders who are being painted. Wait till they are fully painted and then ask if they are happy to be photographed. Better still, please photograph the riders during the ride!
Bike decoration
We have some great race cards that you can print on card and then attach to your bike. We recommend you use elastic or twist-ties to secure to your bike. There are PDF instructions here. If you are feeling generous, print and prepare a few extra to give to other riders. There is a selection of four cards for you to choose from; click on the captions to download the full-size card for printing.
Additionally we suggest you include a QR code if you plan to have a flat area for messages. That way, bystanders with smartphones can instantly find the major WNBR websites to get the ride's messages. Here are two: one for the main WNBR site in black or green, and another for the UK WNBR site in black or blue. Take your pick; they are all downloadable PDF files ready for printing
Public transport
See the UK FAQs.
Weather
We've had good weather at each of the UK rides so far, indeed stunning hot sunshine in 2006 and 2007. Does that mean statistically we're predicting rain? The ride will not be cancelled in the event of rain, but it just might be shortened. If so, follow the Marshals' instructions.
In any case bring warm dry clothes to change into after the ride, and keep them dry.
A large, thin plastic bag (such as you get from your dry cleaner) could be an effective protection if you want to seem naked in the rain. Maybe we can beat the Vancouver record for most naked riders in the rain!
For a five-day weather forecast, visit one of Met Office, MetCheck or BBC Weather (and choose day).
Other Discounts
Hotels and Shows Theatre Breaks are offering a 10% discount hotels in London - places that have committed to accepting guests and their bicycles.
Getting involved
There are lots of ways you can help to organise or promote the ride. Please contact us in the [Yahoo group] if you have any useful special skills and are able to help in any way.
Poster
As with the 2009 ride, some A4 posters will be printed ahead of the 2011 ride. If more are needed, a PDF file can be downloaded from
for printing locally.
Spread the word
Everyone can help to make the next ride even more successful than the last. There are lots of ideas for promoting the ride at the UK Promote page.
World Naked Bike Ride stalls
The WNBR usually has stalls at events. Please get in touch if you can help with the stall or leafleting at these events.
Camden Green Fair and Bike Fest Sunday 5th June 2011, midday till 7pm. Regents Park.
Events to leaflet
Please help us by distributing leaflets at the following events if possible!
The Friday Night Skate
Friday nights weekly assembling near the Wellington Arch. People start arriving from about 7:50, the skate leaves at 8pm
ENTRY = Free
Note that this event doesn't happen if the weather is poor.
Planning meetings
Riders are invited to any of the London ride planning meetings. The London ride organising group is a collective, and holds just 5 meetings to make all the key decisions about the ride (and allocate responsibilities). Any rider is welcome to attend the meetings (and thus be part of the "London ride planning collective"). The meeting agenda can include route/time, negotiations with police, improving the experience for new riders, presswork, and any other matters that people bring to the meeting. Meetings are open to non-London riders who are involved in planning rides in their local area. Press are not welcome to the planning meetings.
The 2011 meetings are as follows (19:00 start for all meetings):
- Thursday 10 February 2011 (Frank to facilitate/produce minutes)
- Thursday 24 March 2011
- Thursday 14 April 2011
- Thursday 12 May 2011
- Thursday 26 May 2011 or 09 June 2011
Meetings are held at South Bank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. The 24 March meeting will be held at the Green Bar in the Royal Festival Hall (4th level, on the "green side" - the side nearer the London Eye). For future meetings, check this page, and/or see the wnbr-London yahoo list. We try to remember to have WNBR things out so it is easier to spot the meeting. If you are in doubt, just ask "is this the bike ride meeting?"
Get in touch (or just show up at a meeting) if you want to join in the planning the next ride. uk [at] worldnakedride.org or 07814 587361
Interviews
The press, radio and TV are fascinated by WNBR. We need riders to explain their personal perspective on the ride in interviews. If you are willing to help out with interviews, please contact londonpress [at] wnbr.org.uk and/or your local ride coordinator or call the Press Office.
On the day
We need people to pass out leaflets at the assembly point and during the ride. If you plan to pass out leaflets on the ride, you need to have a good scheme for carrying the leaflets, so they don't spill out or blow away, but so you still can reach them to pass out. We're going to try to pass out leaflets to the crowd at the assembly point and then during the ride.
Being a volunteer steward
In order to ensure the smooth running of this year’s London World Naked Bike Ride, we are asking for volunteer stewards to look after the welfare of riders. Last year's stewards did a great job, and we're looking to provide even better stewarding this year (e.g. more effective, more friendly, more responsive).
The purpose of WNBR stewards is to monitor the safety and wellbeing of riders, and to provide advice and assistance where necessary. Stewards will be a visible presence amongst riders and will help to ensure that participants are safe, that they don't get lost or separated from the main ride and that assistance is available to those who get left behind or have breakdowns. During the Assembly, the Stewards will primarily be directing riders into the ride assembly area, and helping the ride to form up for departure. Stewards will enforce the ride's photo policy through polite but firm verbal intervention.
As a steward you will be required to:
- Register to be a steward in advance (if you turn up on the day with an offer to help, there will be limited things you can assist with and it probably won't be an exciting job).
- Attend the pre-ride Steward Induction and Training Session (date/time TBA) at the Achilles statue in Hyde Park.
- Arrive at Wellington Arch by 1pm on Saturday 9 June 2012 for an additional Ride Briefing.
- Act as a steward for the event from 1pm until 6pm (very busy from 2pm to 5pm).
- Wear shoes and clothes for the duration of the ride
- Wear a high-visibility vest that you borrow and return to the lead steward.
Additionally, you will be expected to:
- Be a confident and proficient cyclist
- Be able to follow instructions from the Lead Steward.
- Be reasonable, responsible and approachable.
- Maintain a courteous and friendly disposition (even under pressure).
- Bring a small rucksack in which to put useful items such as: a puncture repair kit, spare T-shirt, bottle of water, bike pump. (If you have any of these, it would be most appreciated if you could bring them along, if not, we will endeavour to provide them).
- Carry a mobile phone (for use only in emergencies).
In return, you will receive:
- A FREE World Naked Bike Ride flag (Normally only available for £3 donation).
- A free DVD of the 2005 World Naked Bike Ride which normally costs £10 (you receive this if you attend the training session).
- Support, assistance and guidance from the Lead Steward.
- A warm glow knowing that you’ve helped to make the London WNBR a success!
If you have a PMR radio handset (walkie talkie), please bring it with you.
The up-to-date (2010) London Stewarding Guidelines can be read here
If you think you might volunteer as a London WNBR Ride Steward, please contact this year's Lead Marshall: John [email protected].
History
See London history
Media coverage
Moved to London media coverage page.
Photos
Moved to London photos page.
Videos
Moved to London videos page.
Photography policy
Links
Move to London links page.
