World Naked Bike Ride In Portland Saturday

PORTLAND, OR — Avert your eyes or join in — either way, get ready for the World Naked Bike Ride in Portland on Saturday.

Beginning at 9 p.m. June 24 at Fernhill Park, located at 6010 N.E. 37th Ave. in Northeast Portland, upward of 10,000 nude people will ride their bikes through the city.

Meant to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists everywhere and draw attention to the world's dependence on pollution-based transportation, the World Naked Bike Ride has been held annually in Portland since 2004. Around the world, organized naked bike ride events have been taking place since the 1800s, but only since the early 2000s have they grown in popularity, now occurring in more than 100 cities worldwide.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, it's officially illegal for a person to expose their genitalia in a public place or anywhere that could be visible from a public place, if the public place is open to members of the opposite sex. However, the bureau takes exception to the naked bike ride so long as participants stay in the permitted areas during the permitted times.

"Although many participants may violate the letter of the Portland City Code, the Police Bureau will be exercising discretion for this protest event as long as participants stay on the route with the rest of the riders," police officials said in a statement. "People who 'start early' and potentially disrupt other neighborhood events not associated with the official ride may not receive the same discretion."

Commuters can expect delays in traffic while the riders travel the 7-mile, undisclosed route (it's tradition for the route to be unknown until the moment of the ride).

Afterward, five Portland establishments are hosting nude after parties at Hawthorne Food Carts, Paddy’s, Holocene, Club 205, and Crush Bar. Additionally, there will be the popular Outdoor Dance Party beginning at 10:30 p.m. along the Springwater Corridor Trail, 5708 S.E. 136th Ave.

"At a bare minimum, the Portland Police Bureau recommends that riders at least wear a helmet and shoes to avoid any potential injuries," PPB officials said. "Bike lights are also highly recommended for riders as well as plenty of water or fluids."

For more information about Portland's World Naked Bike Ride, visit www.pdxwnbr.org.

For more on the international World Naked Bike Ride sensation, visit www.worldnakedbikeride.org.

Photo Courtesy: Portland Police Bureau