Q: What is Philly Naked Bike ride all about?
A: PNBR is about: Riding together to promote fuel conscious consumption, positive body image, and cycling advocacy. Ride with us and bring your own message!
Q: Whose idea was this anyway?
A: The Philly Naked Bike Ride is just one of many that are part of the World Naked Bike Ride movement. The first international naked bike ride was a collaboration between the World Naked Bike Ride group, which rode on the twelfth of June 2004, and the Manifestación Ciclonudista with its event on the nineteenth. The WNBR group is a creation by Conrad Schmidt to help coordinate a large international naked bike ride between many different activist groups across the world. Check it out!: http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/
Q: Do I have to ride NAKED?
A: NO. PNBR is a BARE AS YOU DARE event. One of the best aspects of the Philly Naked Bike Ride is how creative people get with being nude in public. Have a good time and have fun with paint, hats, costumes, sunglasses and anything else you can think of. Carry your clothes with you though, in case you wind up having a bike malfunction or needing to stop at a store to use the bathroom or grab some water, etc.
Q: Is this LEGAL?
A: Well, we can only speak from experience. Our past 10 rides have gone without incident, and have been a blast. You can read Pennsylvania code at http://naturistaction.org/StatesFrames/State_Laws_Frames/Pennsylvania_Laws/body_pennsylvania_laws.html and decide how bare you will dare. Please don’t be lewd, obscene, or engage in any sexual activity – that is an arrestable offense, it’s against our Code of Conduct, and we will enforce this law.
Q: Who can participate?
A: PNBR is accessible to all levels of cycling prowess: if you’re a team cyclist, alley cat hero, bike nerd, or a bicycle commuter — PNBR has something for everyone. Other modes of people powered transportation are welcome also.
Q: Do I have to register or sign-up for the ride?
A: No, just show up on the day of the ride.
Q: Do I have to register if I am a photographer/videographer and/or with the media?
A: If you are with the media, please wear your media badge and have fun covering our event! Please abide by our Code of Conduct for the safety and comfort of our riders.
We will no longer be providing passes to photographers not associated with the media. It’s gotten very crowded in the past with too many photographers in the bodypainting area, and prefer to let our riders have a a more fluid space to have fun and get ready for the ride. You are welcome to take photographs if you are riding and have consent from your subject.
Q: Is there a fee to participate?
A: PNBR is free to all. However, donations are welcome to help in the successful organization of the ride. There’s more information at this link: Support
Q: Why is it called a naked bike ride if not everyone is naked?
A: It’s an invitation to be naked but we’re not going to be militant about nudity. We want people to be as comfortable and have as much fun as possible, no matter how much or how little of their body is exposed.
Q: Isn’t it uncomfortable to sit on a bike seat naked?
A: Not really. You should try it! Otherwise we recommend wrapping something soft around your seat, such as a t-shirt, a bandana, a swatch of velvet, or anything else that will make your bum feel happy. If you are renting a bike, we strongly recommend wrapping your seat.
Q: How fast or how long is the ride?
A: The ride is a slow, conversational pace. It meanders through the city of Philadelphia for a total of about 10 miles. At this rate, it typically takes about 2 hours for the front of the group to get from the starting location to the ending location. It is NOT a race by any means! In fact, we keep it slow on purpose: Nearly half of our riders are new to cycling, which is exciting because one of the goals is to get more people interested in using bikes as a mode of transport. However, that means that they may be a little wobbly on two wheels. We also want people of all abilities to be able to participate.
What we have found in the past is that when the people in the front go any faster than a crawl, it creates a gap between the faster group in the front and the slower group in the back. Cars coming from different directions then try to squeeze through this gap in the column, making it very dangerous for the riders who happen to be somewhere along the edges of that gap at the moment. An important goal is to keep all 2,000-4,000 riders safe. If we let the front group go fast, then the back group gets left in danger. So, if you like to go fast, sign up to be a street team member and you’ll get to zip up and down the column and speed ahead of the pack! Otherwise please plan on relaxing and enjoying the ride. If you’re new to a bike or it’s been a while, you will be in good company!
P.S. Want to be a speed demon at the Naked Bike Ride? Volunteer for the Street Team! You’ll get to zip along the side of the column, speed ahead to block traffic and everyone will thank you! If you’re interested send a request via E-mail with Volunteer in the subject line to info@phillynakedbikeride.org or phillynakedbikeride@gmail.com, and we will be in contact!
Q: What should I do to prepare for the ride?
1. Read and follow this: Code of Conduct
2. Make sure your bike works.
3. You might want to pack these things:
Clothes for after the ride
A way to carry your clothes with you or on your bike
Shoes, Helmet (highly recommended), Cash, Phone, Water, Patch kit, Bandaids, Sunblock, Bug spray, Decorations for your body and your bike
Don’t want to carry a backpack? Wrap your stuff in a plastic bag and duct tape it to your frame.
Q: I don’t have a bike/ I don’t know how to ride. Can I still participate?
A: Of course you can! We welcome all forms of Human-Powered transportation. You can bike, rollerblade/skate, skateboard, ride a scooter, jog… heck, you could probably walk it! But please, NOT in bare feet!
Q:What’s the route?
A: The starting location and route will be announced 24 hours before the ride. Please follow us on Social Media and this page for all updates.
Q: Where is a good spot for me to watch the ride?
A: Once we have a 2019 route, we’ll post prime viewing locations here. Some of them will be:
- Independence Hall
- 5th St. Tunnel (if it’s not flooded)
- Rittenhouse Square
- City Hall
- Logan Circle
Q: How many people participate in the Philly Naked Bike Ride?
A: When the organizers planned the first PNBR back in 2009, they anticipated between 200 and 300 riders. Instead they got 2,000. Since then we have had between 2,000-3,500 riders every year.
Q: Are there any travel discounts if I’m coming from out of town?
A. Amtrak has stopped offering discounts to Conventions and Rides of any kind. The 2018 PNBR was one of the last to have a discount.
Q: I have a question that isn’t addressed here. Who can I contact for more info?
A: Send us and email: phillynakedbikeride@gmail.com
Congratulations! You made it to the end of the FAQ’s! Now go out there and invite your friends and tell them why they’ll love riding with us.
