Brighton WNBR postponed
Organizers called off the ride's 20th edition after two dueling political protests were both announced for the same day
Brighton’s World Naked Bike Ride won’t happen on June 13 as planned. The organizers announced on May 8 that they’re postponing the event after a far-right march and counter-protest were both announced for the same day.
“As organisers, we feel we will be unable to guarantee the safety of riders, which is our main concern,” the WNBR Brighton committee wrote on Facebook. “This was not a decision we took lightly but amongst the committee members we felt we had no choice.”
The clashing event is a march being organized by so-called “Patriots” groups calling for “mass deportations”—a demonstration that anti-fascist organizers have characterized as a direct call for the ethnic cleansing of Brighton’s diverse communities. A Carnival Against Fascism has been announced in response, along with a separate counter-protest organized by Brighton and Hove Stand Up to Racism, beginning at Brighton Station at 11am on June 13. The naked bike ride would have assembled at noon.
The timing stings. This would have been their 20th ride. “We are particularly sad as this will be our 20th ride and we’re looking forward to making it the best yet,” the committee wrote. “This can still be the case with your support.” Organizers say they hope to reschedule for late summer or early autumn.
The Brighton ride is one of dozens of independently organized naked bike rides held each Summer in cities around the world, each combining protest against car culture and fossil fuel dependency with a celebration of body freedom and cyclist vulnerability.
It’s a harder call than London had to make this season. WNBR London proceeded last month despite pressure of its own—re-routing their planned routes amid an active petition seeking to ban the event. Brighton’s organizers faced a different situation: A full stand-down. 🪐
Having experienced Brighton's WNBR twice, I'm saddened by this news. Despite rotten weather on both occasions, the joyful exuberance of participants and spectators, combined with friendly support of law enforcement, made those events wonderful and memorable. Brighton has long been a haven of freedom and tolerance, and the intrusion of far-right extremists there is disturbing.