Just like the late Queen in 1992, Tākaka motorists may soon experience an ‘annus horribilis’.
The World Naked Bike Ride, which is held in 80 other global cities as well as at Waihī Beach and Dunedin, was first revealed in the Tasman town two decades ago to bolster positive body image, eco-friendly travel and a message for motorists to constantly be wary of cyclists.
Organiser and 11-time participant Bryan Badger, who has steered the Tākaka course for the past six or seven years, says the 2 March event was introduced to Tākaka by Golden Bay resident, Victoria Davis.
“There’s no one to stop anyone in New Zealand starting a ride, but I think Tākaka is recognised as the capital of New Zealand for alternative lifestyles, so the place was one that attempted things like [a naked bike ride],” he says.
“The basic thinking behind it hasn’t changed, we’ve done different routes… and the idea is to encourage people to use bikes, be less reliant on cars, feel comfortable in their own skin and also the nudity helps us stand out, so drivers don’t forget cyclists are on the road too.”
Bryan says the event attendance had never been ‘bare all’ with 60 to 70 domestic and international riders descending on Tākaka for the event each year.
He says the course is 9km long from Tarakohe to the Kiwi Spirit Distillery at Motupipi, and an additional night ride from Autumn Farm through Tākaka had also been added this year to mark two decades.
“Most people around Tākaka know about us… people are usually pretty patient over here, there’s no tooting to say, ‘get off the road’, they toot but that’s ‘saying hello’,” he says.
“Being naked is not an act of indecency, and now most cops accept that, we don’t have any controversy.”
The World Naked Bike Ride New Zealand is open to anyone who can competently and safely ride a bicycle, e-bike or tricycle on the road. Bryan says prizes would also be up for grabs for the oldest and youngest participants, the rider who had travelled the furthest distance for the event, and the best decorated bike and body.
Go here to book your place in the ride.
