Thousands of cyclists ditched their clothes and hopped on their bikes to cycle across London.  

The annual World Naked Bike Ride is a ‘peaceful protest’ against car culture and oil dependency. 

Participants are encouraged to be as ‘bare as you dare’ in an effort to also celebrate body positivity. 

The traffic-stopping stunt began right after the Trooping of the Colour celebrations but the police asked for no nudity at Wellington Arch before 2pm. 

The naked cyclists were encouraged to wear shoes and adorn themselves in colourful body paint. 

It was the 21st event held in London and the sunny weather ensured a buzzing atmosphere.  

Saddle soreness was the least of the cyclists' worries as they waved to flabbergasted onlookers

Saddle soreness was the least of the cyclists’ worries as they waved to flabbergasted onlookers

Cyclists of all ages ditched their clothes to protest against car culture - but they did wear shoes as per the advice of the organisers

Cyclists of all ages ditched their clothes to protest against car culture – but they did wear shoes as per the advice of the organisers

The cyclists grinned enjoying the London sunshine while cycling in the nude to celebrate body positivity

The cyclists grinned enjoying the London sunshine while cycling in the nude to celebrate body positivity

Thousands of cyclists rallied together to ride to an after-party venue in Clapham Junction

Thousands of cyclists rallied together to ride to an after-party venue in Clapham Junction

The event aims to have a 'carnival feel' to it - so participants waved flags and cheered throughout

The event aims to have a ‘carnival feel’ to it – so participants waved flags and cheered throughout

This years event had eight different starting points across the city which merged together at Westminster Bridge

This years event had eight different starting points across the city which merged together at Westminster Bridge

The traffic-stopping stunt began right after the Trooping of the Colour celebrations

The traffic-stopping stunt began right after the Trooping of the Colour celebrations

Not only did the cyclists ride nude some of them painted their entire bodies for the occasion

Not only did the cyclists ride nude some of them painted their entire bodies for the occasion

Cheek to cheek: naked riders on a tandem bike gave excited onlookers a high five

Cheek to cheek: naked riders on a tandem bike gave excited onlookers a high five

The global protest movement organises rides in hundreds of cities around the world

The global protest movement organises rides in hundreds of cities around the world

It was a peaceful protest full of high spirits but there will likely be some sore bums in the morning

It was a peaceful protest full of high spirits but there will likely be some sore bums in the morning

The event aims to be a public spectacle to draw attention to its core values

The event aims to be a public spectacle to draw attention to its core values 

The cyclists rode at a 'safe and comfortable' pace

The cyclists rode at a ‘safe and comfortable’ pace

This years event had eight different starting points which merged together at Westminster Bridge. 

Riders were able to choose from leisurely routes to more challenging ones – depending on how daring they were.

At the end of the protest cyclists had the opportunity to make their way to an after-party in Clapham Junction. 

It was a peaceful protest full of high spirits but there will likely be some sore bums in the morning.  

Share or comment on this article:
They’ll be saddle sore in the morning! Naked cyclists take to London’s streets to protest against car culture (but police asked them to stay clothed if they got near King Charles)