Hundreds of people defied the rain to take part in Brighton’s Naked Bike Ride yesterday – and they could be back in a matter of months for the next one.

The poor weather did nothing to put off some cyclists yesterday as they rode through the streets of the city to demonstrate the vulnerability of bike-users on the road and to protest against oil dependency.

However, the number of participants in the sixth annual event was much lower than in previous years and organisers said they may hold another event in September when they hope the weather will be better.

Ahead of the event, which set off from The Level, the crowd remembered 28-year-old Jo Walters, of Westbourne Street, Hove, who died after losing control of her bike on the A270 cycle lane between the Brighton and Falmer university campuses.

The newly qualified teacher suffered massive head injuries after being hit by a van on July 13.

Participants were encouraged yesterday to go as bare as they dared and many painted their bodies with colourful designs as they took part in the event.

The planned route was shortened due to the weather conditions but some people had still travelled from as far away as Leeds and Liverpool to take part.

Despite recent opposition to a naked bike ride in Por tsmouth from local residents, organiser William Morris said people in Brighton were generally supportive of the event.

He said: “People are usually really supportive and they clap for us and shout ‘well done’. People in the city seem very much in favour of having it.”

Mark Smith, 37, of Carlyle Street, Brighton, took his sons Fenner, seven, and Sully, four, to watch the event.

He said: “I ride a lot and my children are getting to the age where they are learning to ride on the streets so I wanted to show them about the issues people are interested in and highlight the vulnerability of cyclists.”

Joe Newbigin, 25, from Brighton, who took part in the event, said: “It is a very novel way to showcase how vulnerable cyclists are.”

His friend Vera Zakharov, 29, from Brighton, said: “We are advocates for cyclists’ rights and improving road safety for everybody in Brighton and Hove.”