Naked Bike Ride through Brighton and Hove billed "enormous success"

Organisers of yesterday’s Naked Bike Ride hailed the annual event in Brighton as “great fun and an enormous success”.

Despite a chilly wind, the 600 riders were in good spirits and many gave startled shoppers a jaunty wave as they rode past.

Some riders wore body paint or underwear but many had only their handlebars to protect their modesty.

Event organiser Duncan Blinkhorn said the ride was “incredibly liberating and felt very free”. He said: “The atmosphere was fantastic. There were lots of cheers and people taking pictures.

“There was a huge crowd down by the pier which was great.

“We had some funny moments when onlookers who were out shopping spotted people they knew cycling past naked.

“I didn’t see too many strange looks myself – but I was mostly concentrating on where I was going to be honest.”

Before the ride, the city’s top cop ordered riders to cover up over fears they could cause “distress” to onlookers.

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp, the police commander for Brighton and Hove, said the cyclists should “conceal their most intimate parts” or risk breaking the law.

During the day, police said they only received “a couple” of complaints from onlookers – although they did take action to stop people doing naked handstands.

And organiser Mr Blinkhorn said there had been “no real trouble” from police despite many riders choosing to take part in their birthday suits.

He said: “The issue with the police was a bit silly to be honest. We had a good meeting with them and told them we didn’t see a problem with nudity.

“They did a great job and nowwe’re all just looking forward to next year.”

The Brighton ride was one of 50 places around the world where the cheeky ride took place on Sunday. It celebrated pedalpowered transport as a solution to pollution and the shortage of fossil fuels.

Mr Blinkhorn said: “I think a lot of people who were cheering us on were maybe even thinking about having a go themselves next year.”