World Naked Bike Ride 2010 — Mexico

For the second time (First time was in 2008; I didn't join in 2009 as I travelled to Nicaragua on that date), I took part of the World Naked Bike Ride. The WNBR is a global effort, where people in ~150 cities all over the world go cycling nude on the streets of our towns, with varied demands, including:

• Safe conditions for cyclists (mainly aimed at car drivers, at the society at large, but also requesting proper infrastructure measures from our respective governments)
• Raising the consciousness that every individual has a bit of power to free us all from oil-produced pollution
• Tolerance, acceptance of people who are not exactly like us
• Lower the ecologic impact of humans against the world

One of the things I most like about WNBR is its diversity. Not everybody goes for the same reasons. As people who read me often will know, I took part because I believe (and act accordingly!) that the bicycle is the best, most efficient vehicle in –by far– most of the situations we face day to day, but we need to raise awareness in everybody that the bicycle is just one more vehicle: On one side, we have the right to safely ride on the streets, like any other vehicle. On the other side, we must be responsible, safe drivers, just as we want car drivers to be.

Ok, and I will recognize it before anybody complains that I sound too idealistic: I took part of the WNBR because it is _tons_ of fun. This year, we were between 300 and 500 people (depending on whom you ask). Compared to 2008, I felt less tension, more integration, more respect within the group. Of course, it is only natural in the society I live in that most of the participants were men, but the proportion of women really tends to even out. Also, many more people joined fully or partially in the nude (as nudity is not required, it is just an invitation). There was a great display of creativity, people painted with all kinds of interesting phrases and designs, some really beautiful.

Some links, with obvious nudity warnings in case you are offended by looking at innocent butts and similar stuff:

• My WNBR 2010 Mexico photo gallery
• My friend Jesús Wong, professional photographer, was documenting WNBR — His gallery
• Media presence (as far as I have seen):
  • El Universal, Saturday 14:30, reporting the Ride had finished and the streets were again... Safe?
  • El Universal, the note printed in the next morning paper: Pedalling nude, they demand respect towards cyclists
  • La Jornada: Cyclist protest
  • La Crónica: They pedalled bare naked
  • Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM): Hundreds of cyclists protested nude on Mexico City because of the oil spill — Well... not exactly, but close :)
  • Qué! (España): Around three hundred naked cyclists toured Mexico City
  • rpp.com.pe (Perú): 300 nude cyclists toured the main avenues

As for the sad, stupid note: 19 cyclists were placed under arrest in Morelia, Michoacán because of faltas a la moral (trasgressions against morality), an ill-defined and often abused concept.

Also, by far, most of the comments I have read from people on the media, as well a most questions we had by reporters before or after the ride were either why are you going nude‽ (because that's the only way I'll get your attention!) or But many people were not nude! (nudity is not a requirement but only an option.