20 replies to this topic

[Neighborsboy]

I just happened across this while surfing the web. The participants of this event are definitely getting their point across. I am not sure if I could be part of an event such as this? Could you? There is no nudity in this clip and you can watch it here:

"Be Easy!" Neighborsboy

[MyDigitalpoint]

I believe nudity is overestimated to drive attention over almost any topic.

While many people can still feel scandalized by events like this, using nudity as a battle standard is losing has lost the former impact that protests had in the past.

In fact naked bike ride is even portrayed as fun time in an eighties' Queen Video so I don't believe anyone can take seriously these events.

Personally,I wouldn't participate in what I consider a mere exhibitionist act.

[mariaandrea]

It's San Francisco. It's awesome. They've been doing this for years. I've seen it and it just gets more attention every year, so I'd say it's effective.

here in Seattle, naked bicyclists have been taking part in our wacky and wonderful Fremont Solstice Parade for years, but they wear grease paint (it rains some years and you don't want the paint running off!) so it's not exactly like the San Francisco ride, and it's not a separate event, but I am all for non-traditional, peaceful methods of getting attention for causes.

Ok, so I personally wouldn't ride around naked, but more power to those who want to! :)

[Shortpoet-GTD]

The do nothing congress is at a stalemate of commitment to the American public. boehner can't even
get his own party to agree on the transportation bill, and when one is introduced, it has birth control
nonsense or other stupid issues attached to it.

With the right legislation (not going to happen until after the election in November), the transportation
bill would include more mass transit in every city and bike paths.

Riding around naked might be fun, but it's all just for show (pardon the pun)- it does nothing
to get the legislators moving on the bills that must be passed.

[mariaandrea]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 06 March 2012 - 04:35 AM, said:

...
Riding around naked might be fun, but it's all just for show (pardon the pun)- it does nothing
to get the legislators moving on the bills that must be passed.

True. But, it's not an action really aimed at the serious side of things. It's aimed at regular people. San Francisco is full of tourists and people and getting regular folks to think about things they might not otherwise think about is how change really starts from the ground up. But, most importantly, to me, we can't always be serious about everything all the time. At least I can't, There are thousands of groups all over the world with millions of members working on a huge array of serious issues and there are also the same number of people who do things that make life more interesting, fun, beautiful, eclectic, thought-provoking and worth living on a day to day basis. Art, theater, music, people doing random acts of kindness and making videos to share, flash mobs dancing in the middle of a library... The naked bicyclists may try and put out a serious message, but they're doing it in a light-hearted way that's as much performance art as anything else, and even if the message gets lost, it's an amusing spectacle, and I don't think we can ever have enough of those.

[artistry]

Amazing grace. These folks like to expose their assets and their liabilities, I am sorry to say. I am sure it does get lots of attention, why wouldn't they? Nothing like airing it all out. Cheers.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Not to be gross, but as long as they're trim-ok. But if they're not? No one wants to see the results
of too many double cheeseburgers and fries peddling down the lane.

[artistry]

For sure. Hard on the eyes, no pun intended. But I am not sure those who are buff would be so appealing,  Take it to your bedroom and show it off, I'm not even sure it's good for the environment, certainly not in the summertime. Cheers.

[Phil]

Nudity is so 60's, apparently SF hasn't progressed since then.    Frankly, riding a bike is great if you are in SF or any of the other mild climate cities.  Try it in Chicago around Jan 15!  Still, more power to them, I'd opt for a Nissan Leaf instead.

Public transportation is great in the cities, but outside of that it gets a little absurd.  I don't think it gets much traction because the bulk of the population doesn't want to pay for something they'll never use.  That's why the high speed train issue is going nowhere.  Even SF wanted the funds to upgrade their present system rather than build a high speed rail.

If it's viable, the private sector will do it on it's own.  If it's not, then don't waste taxpayer money trying to force it on people.

[artistry]

...Hi Phil, thanks much. I love bike riding. I think it should be done more. Saves a lot of energy and is very good for your health .There are a lot of bike clubs, which should be fun. Cheers.

[iebo]

If you tried this outside of an organized event, I'm sure you'd be arrested. It looks like they're not completely  nude either. They have body paint and other coverings on. Not sure how effective this kind of strategy would be. Media probably just covers it so they can make fun of them.

[CryoMage]

This is an excellent idea, I've been toying with the idea of organizing a similar event in my own town as way of fighting ridiculous cycling law that are in effect. But my idea wasn't exactly nudity, it was more in the vein of 'wear your grandma's hat and let's cause a traffic jam' kind of thing.

[Hardison]

Even before the video completely loaded, I knew it had to be in San Francisco. I love SF, but some people barely need a reason to take of their clothes.  Personally, I think it detracts form the message because being naked in SF is not that startling. People run naked in the Bay to Breakers, party naked at the Exotic Erotic Ball, etc. It's just over the top and after awhile it loses its effectiveness.

[rbaker_59]

These people don't understand that the nudity really depletes their cause.  People are going to pay more attention to the nudity than the actual cause they are trying to get across.  They would be better off with some other kind of advertising.  It also leaves a bad taste in the public view of them personally and with that, why would someone want to hear their argument?

[Shortpoet-GTD]

http://www.cartoonst...s/mfln4479l.jpg

[btatro]

Well, they certainly are getting attention, but is their cause getting the proper attention it deserves? It reminds me of a child that believe that any attention is better than no attention at all. I can't imagine how uncomfortable it would be to sit on a bicycle seat in the nude!

[Germs]

Hmm, i appreciate that the naked aspect of it would certainly draw a lot of attention, but i'm not sure if its attracting the right kind of attention, personally i think it just undermines their points.

[kat74]

I think the whole message becomes misplaced and people just stares at the nude without even thinking of the message. I would not do it even for a million dollars, for reasons of my dignity and also society. There are very many other effective ways to pass on a message and nude is not in my plate. Where I come from, there are a few places where you can appear have way dressed, the beach or swimming pools. That's good enough for me.

[4leafclover]

Yes, its in San Francisco at the Justin Herman Plaza. I honesty think it took a lot of courage for the cyclist to go naked around the city however, I felt more sad each year that they have to do this. Its sad to know that they have to go naked just to attract attention from the  law-making body and it more sad to realize that they have been doing this for almost  7-8 years? (not sure) now but still the government haven't done anything solid and substantial regarding the regulation of fossil fuels as energy source. Going naked wouldn't help for me and even if I am an advocate for a greener world, I wouldn't go naked biking on the streets as a sign of my protest! But then, its San Francisco. I just hope the local government will do something about such kind of protests so as to keep the decency of fighting for change.

[steph84]

Oh, my! I did not expect to see this one here lol I guess it is cool that they were able to raise awareness and this did get tons of press. I wouldn't ride around like this though. I am way too shy and am sure no one wants to see my parts flying down the road. I am sure it is quite liberating!