OZschwitz slave pen: Cyclists' naked ambitions punctured

SEVERAL "fashion police" yesterday stifled the naked intentions of 14 protesters trying to raise awareness of the damage cars do to cyclists and the environment.

Riding from Sydney Park in St Peters to Bicentennial Parkin Glebe, those who had planned to be nude for the World Naked Bike Ride had to make bras and underpants from bark and gaffer tape after police intervened.

OZschwitz slave pen: Cyclists' naked ambitions punctured 420cyclist-470x0

OZschwitz slave pen: Cyclists' naked ambitions punctured 420cyclist-470x0

(She cheated and wore pants!) Thumbs down

An organiser of the event, Marte Kinder, in Speedos with red peace signs painted over his body, said nakedness demonstrated the vulnerability of cyclists. "When we put a helmet on and are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle we might as well be naked because clothing doesn't protect us. This is being very obvious, but underneath our clothes there's a living, breathing human body that's fragile."

He hoped the day would be about having fun and communicating a message that aimed to "peacefully expose the vulnerability of cyclists, humanity and nature, in the face of cars, aggression [and] consumerism".

Nevertheless, senior police officers from Redfern and Newtown monitored the group, with back-up from another three cars, as the protesters painted themselves with peace signs and slogans.

"Sorry to be the fashion police," one officer said.

"We don't want to spoil anyone's fun, but we have a level we need to maintain."

Jessica, 26, of Marrickville, prepared to ride topless.

A friend painted a rainbow across her chest.

"I don't mean to be a spoilsport but painting's not going to cut it," Inspector Joel Murchie said to her. "Can you put a top back on, please?"

He warned her that if she did not cover up she could be arrested because it was offensive conduct in a park open to families and children. After some to-ing and fro-ing, including a comment from her that "lots of men have bigger boobs than I do", she obliged and covered up.

Two police cars then escorted the group, for their safety, from the park along King Street, Parramatta Road and Glebe Point Road.

It is the second time the event has been held in Sydney. Rides also took place in Byron Bay, Canberra, Melbourne and Newcastle at the weekend. There were rides in Adelaide and Nimbin last week, and one will be held in Brisbane next weekend.

LNK

OZschwitz slave pen: Cyclists' naked ambitions punctured

OZschwitz slave pen: Cyclists' naked ambitions punctured

Anarcho-Capitalist Categorical Imperatives

AnCaps On Rights, Individualism & Lifestyles