The sun may well have been shining but there was plenty of mooning at the fourth naked bike ride.

Cyclists of all ages took to the streets of Brighton to protest against oil dependency and to show the vulnerability of cyclists on the road.

Hundreds of people gathered at The Level from midday today, some covered their bits with body paint while others were more than happy to bare all.

James Watts, 23, from Brighton, said: “I wanted to get naked in public.

“I had no idea I was going to do this an hour ago but we saw it was on and thought let's come down here and get naked. Who knows, I might become a regular.

“It's quite liberating but I am a bit disappointed at the level of nakedness, I thought there was going to be a lot more.

“It's going to be good but I'm not looking forward to the chafing.”

The cyclists left The Level at about 1.45pm, led by a tandem and Penny Farthing, to make their way past landmarks including the Pavilion and the Palace Pier. They also cycled to Hove and back to Kemp Town, finishing on the naturist beach where they could go for a dip if they wished.

Co-ordinator Nick Sayers said the event was also helping to highlight the Government's response to the recession which had been to bail out the motor industry and encourage cheap credit to fuel consumerism.

He said money should instead have been used to improve the infrastructure needed for sustainable transport.

He said: “It's a real party carnival atmosphere. There is flag making and people can sit down and have a picnic on the level.

“It's the most liberating feeling. It's amazing. The real symbol of the road is how freeing being on a bike is. You are not constrained to petrol stations.”

Another cycling spectacular which took place today was the bicycle ballet in Jubilee Square, Brighton.

Bicycles danced to the pulse of the city, fusing dance forms with imagery and a soundtrack.