The World Naked Bike Ride is returning to Cardiff in 2022. The popular cycling event took over the city's streets once again last year after a covid induced hiatus in 2020.
The 14th edition of this popular cycling event will take place on Saturday, July 16 with the theme ‘as bare as you dare’. Fancy dress and body painting are encouraged, and many participants start the ride with clothes on, but get their kit off as they pedal through the capital.
Despite the carnival like atmosphere, the ride is not just for fun - there is a serious message behind it. The ride is part of the global World Naked Bike Ride protests, which take place in cities across the world every summer, including Madrid, Toronto and Mexico City.
This global protest aims to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists against traffic in cities, with the human body presented as a contrast to high powered vehicles. It is designed to show the inadequate provisions for safe cycling and an over reliance on cars in city centres, as well as celebrate and promote body freedom.
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Another reason for the ride is to promote awareness of global oil dependency and its impact on global warming. You can see what happened at the 2021 event here.
This year’s route will start from Park Place, with no access to the ride from Museum Avenue. It will take in a varied part of our city, including the Civic Centre, the city centre area, Cardiff Bay including the Senedd building, St Mary Street, Pontcanna, Canton and will finish the ride at the same place. Riders are invited to meet from 12.30 onwards ‘for bike and body preparation’, before leaving at 2.30pm.
Full nudity is not compulsory at the event - the theme is ‘As Bare as You Dare’ - meaning lots of fancy dress, painted skin and underwear will be on show, as well as birthday suits. Participants are encouraged to bring bells, horns and whistles, while a portable sound system will also be accompanying this year’s riders. African drummers will be playing at the start area to get everyone in the mood.
The World Naked Bike Ride events began in 2004, and rides in Cardiff have been going since 2007. In the UK, London and Brighton currently attract the most cyclists, with more than 1,000 taking part in each, while the US city of Portland, Oregon attracts around 8,000 riders each year, drawing 10,000 in 2015. You can get more details on the Cardiff event here.
