Bristol World Naked Bike Ride 2026

What is it?

Every year, in cities around the world, people ride bikes naked to draw attention to the fragility of cyclists on the roads. The ride is at once a protest against car culture, and a celebration of cycling and the human body. Originating in USA, World Naked Bike Rides (WNBR) have been run since 2004. Many cities in the UK have annual naked bike rides, the largest of them being London and Brighton, attracting thousands of riders. Globally, the largest regular WNBR is in Portland, Oregon, which regularly has 8000+ participants.

Why ride around naked?

The World Naked Bike ride was conceived as a way to draw attention to the vulnerability of cyclists on roads dominated by cars. Cycling is obviously a ‘green’ choice for personal transport, but it comes at a cost - in the UK, on average, two cyclists are killed, and 80 or so seriously injured, every single week. Many of us have lost friends and loved ones to drivers who often “did not see” them. “NOW you can see us!” is a popular slogan carried by WNBR riders. While this is the main reason behind the rides, they appeal to a diverse selection of folk, including naturists and people with an interest in body-positivity.

Riders don't have to be naked - “as bare as you dare” is the dress code, and that can even include fully clothed. Obviously, though, naked or part-naked riders draw attention, which is kind of the point. It should go without saying - but we'll get this out of the way early on - that there is no sexual element to WNBR nudity. While the rides welcome and celebrate diversity, sexual behaviour is emphatically not appropriate, not welcome, and not tolerated on these rides, neither among the riders, nor the spectators. Nor is violent, aggressive or ‘creepy’ behaviour. The ride's ethos is strictly light-hearted, inclusive and non-threatening. It's a protest with a serious message - it's sobering to see a hundred or more cyclists streaming past and realise that's just one year's UK cycling death toll - but it's not a protest that seeks to offend, disrupt traffic, nor demonise other road users. Many of us do also drive cars!

When is it?

The 2026 Bristol WNBR is scheduled for Saturday 15^th of August, departing from the Pump House, Hotwells, BS8 4PZ, around 12:30 to 1pm - aim to be there for 11:30 or so. This year, Bristol WNBR has once again arranged for the most excellent Bristol Samba to entertain and energise the naked riders, as well as delighted bystanders, with their magnificent drumming, at our rest stop in Castle Park.

Is it legal?

Yes. Simple nudity in public is not illegal in the UK, unless there's clear intent to cause harm, alarm or distress. (While there are occasional people who find the sight of hundreds of naked people on bikes upsetting, there are people who find all kinds of things upsetting - one person being offended by something doesn't automatically make that thing objectively offensive.)

That said, clearly an individual rider cycling around the place naked is likely, at the least, to be asked awkward questions by the police. Hundreds of riders, not so much. The WNBR rides are organised in cooperation with the police, who have advance notice of the route and who provide valuable advice on safety, traffic issues and the law. Indeed, we typically invite a couple of cycling officers to accompany us (though fully clothed, we expect!) The rides are insured, and carefully marshalled to keep riders safe and minimise disruption. WNBR does not seek to prevent people getting places, or going about their business, and WNBR will never knowingly impede the passage of emergency vehicles.

More information

Frequently Asked Questions

Bristol WNBR FAQ | FAQ (international)

Donations, support & souvenirs

A remarkable amount of effort and expense goes into making WNBR happen, and the organisers and marshals all donate their time, equipment, and often money. Last year's riders donated generously to ride funds, and/or bought ride memorabilia, offsetting the significant costs incurred due to late changes of location and related logistics. This year, we're at a whole new spot, significantly distant from our previous kick-off in “alternative central” Stokes Croft. We're on our traditional route, but starting and finishing near our former halfway point, over in Hotwells at the Pump House. (Please leave extra time if travelling via Temple Meads, it's a couple of miles further!) We aim to have some Bristol WNBR souvenir mugs, some deafeningly loud BWNBR whistles on handy lanyards, and a very limited number of rather snazzy flags. We are still working on providing a mechanism to buy or donate online!

We still need volunteers to help with publicising the ride!