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Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride attracts thousands of participants each year.
Portlanders bare their love (and bodies) for bicycling at this annual bike ride.
2 min read
Wearing a helmet is a great way to stay safe while bicycling — no one would argue with that. But what about the rest of a rider’s attire? For the undressed masses who streak through Portland each summer during the World Naked Bike Ride, accouterments are largely unnecessary. And besides, it’s much more fun to bike buck naked.
History of Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride
As a part of a worldwide protest against society’s dependency on oil, this annual volunteer-run event has seen Portlanders pedaling au naturel every summer since 2004. (Fun fact: Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride is among the world’s largest, drawing 10,000 people in 2019.) The route is a secret; ride organizers reveal only the starting point in advance of the ride.
At the gathering point where the ride begins, the clothes come off and the body paint goes on. Then when the sun sets, thousands of naked bike riders hit the roads, cruising commando through streets closed off to cars by (fully clothed) Portland police officers. Not-nude medical personnel and bike mechanics are also on hand in case of emergencies.
Questions About Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride
Why nudity?
According to the organizers of the World Naked Bike Ride, riders go bare to “celebrate cycling and the human body. The ride demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and is a protest against oil dependency.”
Can I participate without a bike?
Anything non-motorized and human-powered is acceptable and welcome. Joggers, Rollerbladers and people on scooters and skateboards are often seen joining in the protest.
Can I rent a bike to ride in the protest?
Isn’t it illegal to be naked?
Won’t I get cold?
It is recommended to wear shoes and helmets, which can help keep the chill at bay. Many riders start with more coverings and remove layers as they warm up from riding. The average temperature of the evening around the event is 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) with a slight wind, so dress (or undress, as the case may be) accordingly.
Are there multiple naked bike rides?
Over the years, the ride has turned into a festive tradition, with after-parties giving bare bikers places to see and be seen.
Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride Today
Over the years, the ride has become a festive tradition, with after-parties giving bare bikers places to see and be seen. In fact, in 2026, two groups are organizing two separate naked bike rides: the Portland World Naked Bike Ride and the World Naked Bike Ride Portland.
But don’t expect to find a scene full of looky-loos. Sure, there are threadbare tandems, unclad unicyclists and even recumbent bikers in the buff — but the event also has a no-nonsense approach and forbids alcohol use and inappropriate behavior, so everyone can feel safe and comfortable streaking through Portland with the wind at their, um, backs.
And with the unofficial motto of “as bare as you dare,” all manner of clothing and costume is allowed, with riders donning underwear, swimsuits and more — or less. Frankly, socks and shoes are smart, helmets and pads never hurt anyone, masks are popular for shy riders, and fanny packs aren’t all that embarrassing (for once). Just don’t roll in with your bike attached to a car — cycle to the park or load your wheels onto a city bus — because burning fossil fuel en route to this event would be positively indecent.
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