The annual naked bike ride to highlight just how vulnerable cyclists are on the road returns to Brighton for the sixth time tomorrow.

More than 1,000 cyclists are expected to pedal through the city.

The procession begins at The Level at midday, passes through Brighton city centre and central Hove, before ending up at Black Rock nudist beach.

Former Brighton and Hove City Council leader Mary Mears suggested the event should be moved to early morning to avoid scaring visitors, but the new cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, Geoffrey Bowden, has given his full support to the event.

He says it is what Brighton is all about: it is a relaxed, non-violent way to protest about oil dependency and over-reliance on cars and that cycling is a cheap, economical and environmentally friendly way to travel.

“I have not been convinced to take part but I am very relaxed about the idea,” says Bowden.

“It’s a fun event and a good way to promote cycling.

“Events like these are what Brighton is all about and I believe they actually attract people to come along out of curiosity.

"Last year 800 people braved blisters and chafing to join the ride, which, according to organisers, aims to “deliver a vision of a cleaner, safer, body positive world”.

The first Naked Bike Ride took place in Zaragoza, Spain, in 2001. Since then cities and towns across the world have got involved. In 2010, 74 cities in 17 countries invited nudists, semi-nudists and body-painters to take part.

The progressive, community-led event is not focused on promoting social nudity but encouraging human-powered transport, which is why skateboards, roller-blades and roller-skates are all welcome.

Nick Sayers, one of the ride organisers in Brighton, said: “The popularity of the ride demonstrates that people in Brighton are really up for it, not just throwing a party, but showing their passion and creativity in tackling environmental issues and the need to remedy the destructive effects of car culture.”

Still, there are cycnics. Former council leader Mary Mears previously referred to the event as “sleazy”.

She said her comments in The Argus were supported as much as they were derided.

“I have had so many letters and people coming up to me in the street thanking me for voicing what they had been thinking. We are the silent majority,” she says.

“I know of people who have avoided Brighton because the ride was on and would do so again. Why can’t it be done in the same way as Ireland, where it’s held at 7.45am in the morning when no residents, businesses or visitors are around?”

But, as pro-ride groups argue, “We are not stopping traffic – we are traffic.”

* Starts at The Level, Union Road, at midday. For more details visit www.worldnakedbikeride.org/brighton