Each year universal citizens of cities all over the world are
participating in a WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE to protest oil dependency, to
liberate the streets from wingless caravans of guzzling self-hate mongers,
and to inject the hearts of our neighborhoods with the reality of our
beautiful bodies which have developed over millions of years into their
current perfect beingness. Join hundreds of naked compatriots in a free,
non-sexual, fun bike ride.

Naked riders during a Chicago Critical Mass ride, fresh off of I-290, one of the biggest interstate expy's in the city.

This ride is BARE AS YOU DARE! You can come as naked as you need to be, and
decide what you are comfortable with. NO ONE IS EXCLUDED OR DISCRIMINATED
AGAINST based on levels of clothing, or anything else, for that matter!
All cyclists, skate boardists rollerbladers/skaters, joggers, jet pack flyers
or anything else that goes 10-16 mph WELCOME.

WHEN / WHERE

PLEASE BRING DONATIONS OF NAKEDNESS, FOOD, $ OR BEER

Sign up to pledge your alliance and receive email updates!

Photo of the 2003 Bare As You Dare bikers courtesy of Artists For Peace / Artists Against War. Click on image for larger view.

Frequently Asked Questions for Naked Ride Chicago

Is this legal? Might I get arrested?
By the book, some participating nations and U.S. cities allow nudity, ours does not.
Here's a snippet from the Chicago ride guidelines:
1. Do not loiter in the park. Do not be in the park naked.
2. Exposed genitals or female nipples may make you a target for arrest (especially for males). Do so at your own risk. Do not do so until ride is underway. Even naked butts may violate indecency code. Please remain covered or body painted to remain legal. Also obey traffic signals.
3. This ride is monitored by National Lawyers Guild volunteers who can serve as witnesses in case of police engagement. In case of arrest, immediately call the NLG office at 312-913-0039
4. If confronted by police, OBEY ANY COMMANDS! DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE! DO NOT ESCALATE! Do not argue. Say “Yes Officer”. If told to put something on, do so immediately.
5. Remember the purpose of the ride: To Promote Freedom from Oil Addiction, as well as Positive Body Image. Not to antagonize residents and authorities.
6. For maximum First Amendment protection (freedom of speech and peaceable assembly), integrate nudity with your message. Some examples from the ACLU include: "this naked body burns calories not oil", “nude not lewd”, “no concealed WMDs”, “stripped of our rights”, etc.

Do I have to sign up?
No, just show up at the start location (see Chicago Home Page for details)
between 6-9 pm. Don't show up after 9, because we will have already left.

Is this ride free?
Yes, this is a free bicycle ride. Donations of food drink money or body
paint are all welcome. We do have some costs, so any monetary donation
is extremely welcome, but not necessary.

What should I bring?
You should bring yourself, a bicycle or rollerblades, a pack to keep your
clothes in, and any other party supplies you wish to bring. You will not
be able to leave anything at the start location, including your clothes,
so if you have extra supplies, make sure you have a basket or rack on your
bike, or a large bag.

Won't my bike seat hurt my crotch if I'm naked?
Mr. Bike Recommends covering your seat with a towel or soft cloth.

What if I haven't ridden my bike for a long time?
See Mr. Bike's Advice Here

Are helmets required?
No. Helmets ARE strongly encouraged, but not required.

How far do you ride?
We ride approx. 12-22 miles

Will I be able to keep up?
We ride VERY SLOW. If you have never ridden in a large group of cyclists,
it is difficult to go very fast. We ride between 5-10 MPH, so even
children can ride.

Are Children allowed on this bike ride?
This is a NON SEXUAL ride to protest oil dependency, and the illegality of
the human form, all are welcome!

What if I get lost?
We will have a cell phone tree, so no one will be found wandering the
streets naked and alone.

What is the law on being naked in public?
http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/chicago/peace.html

How can I ride legally?
You can do this by covering the "illegal" areas of your body if you wish
to avoid any scuffles at all costs, although, last year no one was
arrested for being fully nude. (addendum: several fully nude men were arrested in 2005)

Can I come hang out naked at the pre-party if I'm not going to ride?

No, because the goal is partially to be nude, but more than that, the goal
is to help people realize that cutting down on oil consumption can be fun.
So if you're going to drive to the ride, and then not ride, you're
essentially making it worse.