World Naked Bike Ride proceeds in Portland with concerns over new organizers
World Naked Bike Ride proceeds in Portland with concerns over new organizers
New ride to protest fossil fuel companies after original event canceled
Editor’s Note: This article was updated after publication to include a statement from the original organizers of the Portland World Naked Bike Ride (PDXWNBR) addressing concerns about the new ride and its leadership. Additionally, the headline and first paragraph were updated to reflect the concerns between the organizing groups.
The traditional World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) in Portland was officially canceled earlier this summer due to planning delays and volunteer burnout, leaving many disappointed. However, a new group of organizers has stepped up to ensure the event continues, scheduling a ride for this Saturday, September 21. In keeping with the traditional focus of the WNBR, this year’s event will once again serve as a protest against fossil fuel dependency, with a special focus on Zenith Energy and its role in Portland’s fossil fuel infrastructure. Yet, concerns have surfaced about the shift in leadership and its potential impact on the community.
Meeting at Colonel Summers Park at 3:30 p.m., riders will embark on a clothing-optional parade through the city at 4:15 p.m. The route will feature a public parade section from the Hawthorne Bridge to the Steel Bridge, echoing the event’s history of raising awareness about environmental issues through body-positive activism.1
In an Instagram post, the organizers declared, “THE 2024 WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE IS HAPPENING!” They emphasized that the ride will not only protest local fossil fuel issues but also the global impacts of fossil fuel extraction. “We also protest the role that fossil fuels and resource extraction play in the ongoing devastation of Palestine, Sudan, and Congo,” the post read.
While a different team is organizing this year’s ride, the spirit of the event remains aligned with the original World Naked Bike Ride’s goals of protesting fossil fuel dependency, promoting cyclist safety, and celebrating body freedom.
According to their Instagram post, the new organizers are experienced bike community members, and they’re aiming to create a “fun and safe experience for all” while clarifying that the ride is “unaffiliated with PDXWNBR and Umbrella,” the nonprofit group that traditionally manages Portland’s ride.2
In response to the new ride, the original PDXWNBR organizers issued a statement to Planet Nude, expressing their support for protests against oil dependency but voicing concern over how the new ride has been handled. “We support any naked ride that protests our dependency on oil, but we are disheartened by the nature of this particular ride,” the statement reads. They further explained that the leader of this year’s event, who was involved in last year’s PDXWNBR, had not been prepared to lead the 2024 ride. As a result, the traditional WNBR was postponed with hopes of better preparation and additional support.
The PDXWNBR team also expressed disappointment over the new organizers’ actions, stating, “We are deeply saddened to hear that they have blocked us and other community members on social media, have refused to speak directly to media about what is going on, and are already talking about leading a ride in 2025, despite the fact that PDXWNBR is actively reviewing applications for additional ride organizers to bolster the team.” They voiced concerns that this divisiveness could lead to disruption and harm within the community.
The event will still conclude with an after-party, featuring DJs and dancing, as part of the ride’s celebratory atmosphere. While this year’s ride may look different, the mission remains the same: raising awareness of the destructive impact of fossil fuels while fostering community and body positivity. 🪐
Wozniacka, G. (2024, September 18). World Naked Bike Ride spin-off to roll through Portland, protest fossil fuel companies. The Oregonian/OregonLive. https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2024/09/world-naked-bike-ride-spin-off-to-roll-through-portland-protest-fossil-fuel-companies.html
Maus, J. (2024, September 18). A World Naked Bike Ride will happen Saturday, but it’s not the one you think. BikePortland. https://bikeportland.org/2024/09/18/a-world-naked-bike-ride-will-happen-saturday-but-its-not-the-one-you-think-389701
Sounds to me like there's a lot more behind the divisiveness and bad blood than this article describes.
As a cyclist and a naturist, I'm always disheartened by fractures within. Either group (cyclist or naturist) is small enough, and the combo (cyclist AND naturist) especially so, that I find these fractures to harm what they are trying to achieve.