From Newsgroup: uk.rec.cycling

rCLItrCOs a shame hygiene concerns are more important to some than climate change, body positivity, and cyclist safety,rCY say Naked Bike Ride
organisers after hire bike saddle complaints

Mark your calendars, because Saturday 5 July is a big day in the cycling
world. No, IrCOm not talking about the Tour de FrancerCOs Grand D|-part in Lille, or the start of the Giro Donne the following day in Bergamo.

IrCOm talking rCo naturally rCo about World Naked Bike Ride, that annual festival
of bare-it-all cycling, protesting car culture and dependency on oil, as
well as highlighting body positivity and the vulnerability of riding a
bike.

The event takes place in over 50 cities around the world (I wonder if any
Tour riders will be tempted to join in during the opening stage in Lille rCo though IrCOm not sure how the old Whoop recovery score would look after
that), and is often lauded for its carnival-style atmosphere and fun, attracting hundreds of very naked cyclists across the UK.

[linked article] World Naked Bike Ride cyclists defend protest ride in face
of calls for ban

However, it hasnrCOt been without its critics, who are routinely horrified by the lack (or should that be abundance?) of helmets on show.

Back in 2023, Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Nick Buckley called for
the ride to be banned rCLto bring back common decencyrCY, claiming rCLmorality was missing in actionrCY (along with a few other things, eh Nick?).

Anyway, the protests have started early in Brighton this year, where
residents have raised concerns about participants who use publicly
available hire bikes to take part in the ride.

In 2021 Brighton and Hove City Council reassured locals that the cityrCOs rental bikes, then managed by bike hire scheme Hourbike, were thoroughly cleaned following the event. Since then, Beryl has taken over the scheme,
with participants photographed riding the rental bikes during last yearrCOs NBR.

And according to the Argus (link is external), the council has declined to comment on any measures that will be put in place this year to mitigate
hygiene issues.

But to the riderCOs organisers, itrCOs all just a storm on a sweaty saddle.

[picture] World Naked Bike Ride London 2021 (via WNBR London on Twitter)

rCLAs you might be aware. we have addressed the concerns and the issue in question in the past multiple times,rCY a spokesperson for The Brighton Naked Bike Ride Collective said.

rCLItrCOs a shame that the saddle concerns are more important to some than the ethos of the ride and many issues that we are trying to highlight and raise awareness of rCo tackling climate change, body positivity, our dependence on fossil fuels, vulnerability of cyclists and pedestrians on our roads among
some of them.

rCLMany of our riders come to Brighton from outside of the city to
participate in the ride. Inevitably, many will seek to hire a bike for the event due to issues around bringing a bike on public transport for example.

rCLSome riders, often from London, where on-street rental bikes are commonplace, do not own their own bikes. We guide participants towards the various rental providers in the city. Beryl bikes are the most popular and concerns around hygiene are legitimate.

rCLAs a result, we have seat covers made available to all riders on the day that will be for sale at a low price to encourage take-up. Riders are approached on the day and encouraged to use the covers where we see them
using these bikes, but many owners also use them too.

rCLThey have the World Naked Bike Ride logo on so are popular too as a
souvenir of the day. Their use is encouraged in the lead up to the ride
through our social media and we hope, press channels too.

[linked article] World Naked Bike Ride cyclists kicked off their bikes in shocking attack

rCLWe ask riders to use wet wipes otherwise after use. The irony is that the handlebars are also a hygiene issue at any time, but this is not something often highlighted.

rCLSo, we understand the concerns and whilst we do everything we can to encourage use of seat covers, some riders will inevitably either miss the message or be outside of our influence.

rCLSeat covers are available by post in advance of the ride so anyone can
order one by emailing or contacting us through social media.rCY

<https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-11-june-2025-314385#live-blog-item-67661>
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