Portland observes World Naked Bike Ride June 29

(JUNE 30, 2019) A familiar slogan is "Keep Portland Weird." And one of the more unusual events in Portland is the World Naked Bike Ride. This is an annual event that occurs in 70 cities and 20 countries, including Portland.

The World Naked Bike Ride is officially a protest. Organizers want to highlight the vulnerability of bicycle riders everywhere and draw attention to society's dependence on energy from oil and other sources that pollute the environment. It also promotes positive body image by including people of all ages, shapes, sizes, etc.

In Portland, the 2019 ride was Saturday evening, June 29. The free, six-mile bike ride started at Laurelhurst Park in Southeast Portland. Portland's annual World Naked Bike Ride first started in 2004 with only 125 riders. Today, the number is closer to 10,000 participants.

Riders are encouraged to be "as bare as you dare," which means that clothing is optional. Riders can wear as much or as little clothing as they want -- or no clothing at all. Many riders typically wear shoes and a helmet. They use nudity to draw attention to the event and its purpose as a peaceful protest.

But isn't public nudity illegal? This is what the Portland World Naked Bike Ride website says:

"Though some Portland citizens may wish it was, it’s not. ... Since this is a protest, it’s protected by Oregon’s constitution. Nudity as a form of protest is protected, but lewd [sexual] behavior, as defined by Oregon law, is not."