A few of the more colorful buses have been added to our transit fleet. That's snazzy enough for subdued Bellingham.
Down in Seattle, bicyclists go naked and paint their bodies in bright colors. It's part of the annual World Naked Bike Ride Day.
This year was cool and rainy.
Climate subdued the excitement, even in Seattle. I didn't go after seeing the forecast. Still, I read close to 63 participated. A few more than last year.
In 2004 some people tried to organize a similar event in Bellingham, but it was subdued, actually suppressed. There were more police than riders. See 2004
Protesting war and dependency on oil is a big motivation behind naked bike rides held in various cities. I like the images that populate various web pages after such rides. Just do a few searches.
The word "celebration" comes to mind rather than "protest" however.
Going naked doesn't really make sense as a protest of war, oil dependency, or what ever. Main stream America might look at this as the ultimate in silly ness. The connection to serious things such as foreign policy / transportation planning seems vague. Also, wouldn't riding a bike in the nude be uncomfortable? They don't make padding in bike shorts for nothing.
On the other hand, celebration does make sense.
Celebration, including mild eroticism.
To me, celebration makes more sense than protest. Otherwise, why go naked?
Cyclists tend to be erotically appealing. Effects of all that exercise on the body. This appeal can certainly be used as a motivation for getting more people cycling.
"You too can have a lean sexy body."
Think of the billions of dollars spent on weight loss clinics. Much of that ineffective. Diets, programs, therapy, multi step whatever.
Billions.
Save that money and just go bicycling.
Libido is a powerful motivator, more powerful than the tiny "drop in a bucket" that one cyclist might have on reducing global warming.
Reduce one's own waistline. That's results one can see with out the whole world having to change first.
Being in the company of other attractive cyclists can be a motivator. Bike clubs, group rides. Better than hanging out in bars.
What ever it takes.
If more people get cycling, the war, oil dependency, global warming become less. Like the brightly colored transit busses. Most people like a celebration.
In case you are wondering, in alarm, I am not really advocating an orgy.
There have been some nude dance parties, I have gone to, that were guided by the phrase, "sexy party, but not a sex party."
One such party is done as a fund raiser for charity.
Someday it would be fun to go on a group bike ride; most likely a clothed ride. Then have it end at a hot tub.
Or how about ending a ride with "cool down stretching" at a dance?
Dance with spandex clad cyclists.
Painted? Shirtless? Maybe even nude? Unthinkable.
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