This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 24, 2012 - On July 28, bikers across St. Louis will be riding as "bare as they dare" to "promote cyclist awareness, protest oil dependency and promote positive body image," according to promoters. The ride will depart from the South Grand parking lot at Hartford Street at 8 p.m.
World Naked Bike Rides take place in more than 33 countries around the world. In 2008, Stephanie Co and Mariah Pittman started the first WNBR in St. Louis. Co, who is passionate about cycling, said she saw an opportunity to start a ride in St. Louis and have a fun event that people can partake in.
Around 300 people participated in the first ride in 2008, and last year's ride attracted more than 500, they said, making it one of larger rides in the country.
Co said Portland and Chicago have some of the largest rides, attracting thousands of people. She said St. Louis isn't there yet, but participation grows every year.
Bikers participating in the ride are invited to go as bare as they dare, but nudity is not required. Many participants come fully clothed, covered in body paint or in costumes. Bicyclists are not exclusive to the event, either. Participants may use roller-blades, skateboards or other modes of body-powered transportation.
"When you're biking, you're extremely vulnerable as you're not encased in metal," said rider Karen Mandelbaum. "The best metaphor for that is being naked ... the ride is really empowering."
Co said the event has built relationships throughout the community. People are able to bond over a passion for cycling, positive body image, or protesting oil dependency. She also said the event increases cycling throughout St. Louis, because people buy or borrow a bike to participate in the event and then discover an interest in cycling.
Fifth-year rider and volunteer Nowell Gata said the WNBR "keeps communities fun and interesting."
Despite laws against public nudity, Co said the St. Louis Metro Police Department has been very cooperative. But the police made it clear to Co when she went to them the first year that they would arrest anyone who was fully nude. However, she said no arrests have been made in St. Louis. She said the organization makes it clear to participants that no inappropriate behavior will be accepted.
Co said she hopes this year the messages of the ride will be more clear. A variety of pre-ride film screenings and discussions will take place to increase awareness of cycling rights, body acceptance and oil dependency. "Crude Awakening," a documentary on world oil dependency, will be showing at Mangia Italiano on July 22 at 7 p.m.
This year's route will be similar to last year, which began at the South Grand parking lot and ended on Talmage Avenue in the Grove neighborhood.