No naked ride in Boston this year
2025 WNBR called off as organizers redirect focus toward political action
Organizers of the Boston World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) have announced the cancellation of the 2025 event, citing a desire to redirect energy toward more urgent social and political causes. The announcement, shared on the Boston WNBR Instagram page, expressed regret while urging would-be participants to get involved in community activism.
“It’s been a tough decision, but we have decided NOT to move forward with the Boston WNBR this year,” the organizers wrote. “We feel there are many more causes that need our support and attention right now.” They encouraged supporters to consider “protesting, bike marshaling, or volunteering with a local org in need,” emphasizing the need to “help better our current political environment.”1
The statement stopped short of naming specific political concerns, but online discussion quickly filled in the gaps. One Reddit user commented, “Seems pretty clear to me that they’re worried about the current administration.”2 Another speculated that the decision might relate to local politics, noting tensions around Boston’s bike infrastructure policies and upcoming mayoral elections.3
Despite the cancellation, the organizers signaled hope for a return in 2026, contingent on new volunteers stepping up: “We hope to be back in 2026, but for that to happen, we need others to step up to reinvigorate the ride.”4
The announcement struck a chord with longtime participants, some of whom shared their disappointment in the Instagram comments. “I always saw it as a joyful way to make a poignant statement about freedom of expression, global warming and anti-consumerism,” wrote one user, adding that the event feels especially needed now.5
In the meantime, the organizers pointed interested cyclists toward Critical Mass Boston and alternative rides like the Montpelier, Vermont WNBR, which is scheduled for June 14. 🪐
wnbrboston. (2025, May 20). It’s been a tough decision... [Instagram post]. Instagram. www.instagram.com/p/DJ2ZRQGyYn1/
PanickedPurplePrisms. (2025, May 20). Comment on Boston World Naked Bike Ride canceled for 2025. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/nudism/comments/1kr72vk/comment/mtbynsn/
boston_naturist. (2025, May 20). Comment on Boston World Naked Bike Ride canceled for 2025. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/nudism/comments/1kr72vk/comment/mtkudy6/
(wnbrboston, 2025).
chunkc. (2025, May 20). Comment on Boston World Naked Bike Ride canceled for 2025. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ2ZRQGyYn1/
Global heating won't go away regardless of which fascist grifters are burning down democracy. A protest keeping it on the front burner is exactly what they should be doing. Change the message to anti-drilling, anti-oiligarch control of our government, anti-AI and crypto, which use more power than some small countries. Keep the ride, tweak the message.
In my experience in and around activist organizations, "It's been a tough decision" is usually code for "We are so consumed with infighting as to have become completely dysfunctional."