On Saturday, 11 March, a group of cyclists “dressed” in their birthday suits rode through Sea Point to raise awareness about a variety of issues.
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Under the theme “Bare as You Dare”, cyclists took part in the 16th World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), a clothing-optional bike ride that takes place in more than 74 cities across the globe, aimed at promoting a body-positive world and a cleaner and safer world.
This year, the focus was on cleaner energy – reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions, as well as making cycling in Cape Town safer and encouraging more people to cycle and reject body shame.
Juanita Pretorius, the organiser of the World Naked Bike Ride in Cape Town, started the initiative in 2008.
She says participants will ride “as a collective to call for South Africa to embark on a just energy transition and switch from coal-fired power to renewable energy, which is the cheapest form of energy available.”
She adds, “Climate change is the biggest threat that the human species and our planet have ever faced. Our very survival depends on finding ways to stop it.”
The event is open to anyone who shares an interest in raising awareness about pressing issues and shares the motive of the WNBR organisation.
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Words: Ilze-Marie Van Zyl / Cape {town} Etc
Picture: World Naked Bike Ride / Facebook
