Cyclists bare all for greener living: an account from The Argus of the World Naked Bike Ride in Brighton last Saturday.

And another from Mock Duck: World Naked Bike Ride

Another great set of photos of the World Naked Bike Ride 2006 in Brighton.

Brighton Naked Bike Ride

Brighton Naked Bike Ride
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

The Brighton leg of the World Naked Bike Ride set off from The Level around 10.15am after much body painting and disguising of 'naughty and rude bits' under the supervision of a handful of police bobbies (far fewer than on the average Critical Mass). It was a scorcher of a morning and about 160 people cycled down to the seafront, west to Hove, through the North Laine, into Kemp Town and finally to the nudist beach where they could get dressed again. Some were off to London for the rally in the Big City. More photos on Flickr tho none of the ride itself cos I was too busy videoing it.

York Hill

York Hill
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

Hoorah for the council for legalising my short cut from Town to home via Preston Circus with this short but sweet contra-flow cycle lane. But there was a missed opportunity on Cheapside where they've made a cycle lane go with the one-way traffic instead of creating another contra-flow. And on London Road more cycling obstacles have been appearing - see the main Weird Cycle Lanes website for more.

Les Cyclistes

Les Cyclistes
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

Les Cyclistes, devised by David Furnham, is a play of two halves: Danny Schlesinger opens with an amiable Jacques Tati-type mime based around his Brompton with a flat front tyre, improvising with all the weird and wonderful tools that come with a puncture-repair kit! Then Simon Hedger, dressed as a hard-core cyclist takes over and does a Reg-type monotonous monologue about his Audax exploits as he brews a cup of tea in the cyclists' kitchen. There's quite a bit of Clarion interest - first thing he does is shout Boots! to the audience (I replied Spurs! which identifies me as a Clarionnette). Great entertainment - and it's all free - on Hove Lawns by the Peace statue. There's also several films on the go, in the marquee and in the Citroen van next door, including hilarious archive Pathe footage and the company's own film Allez, Allez, Alllez. There's also an interactive bike taking you on a dicey ride around some suburban streets. It's on until 18 June (not Mondays) from 10am until 6pm. Shame the sunshine is proving to be a bigger draw!

the cool hunter - BIKE PARKING: I think this makes the point!

Riders cover up 'rude bits': "Cyclists planning to take part in a naked bike ride will cover up their modesty with fig leaves after being warned they could be arrested if they expose any 'rude bits'. Up to 100 people are expected to strip on Saturday for a World Naked Bike Ride through the streets of Brighton and Hove."

Cyclist in bike ride court battle: "A cyclist has launched a High Court challenge against police claims that a long-running monthly cycle ride through London is unlawful."

Cyclists strip for a naked protest: "Nude cyclists will be riding through Brighton and Hove as the city hosts its first World Naked Bike Ride. Brighton and Hove will be among 40 cities around the world joining the June event, which will also be a celebration of the human body. Wearing just a pair of flip-flops and a cycle helmet, Nick Sayers, 33, from Hove, was part of the 250-strong protest in London last year."

U-turn on cycle parking spaces: "A victory has been won by cyclists who were told they were not welcome at Brighton's £14 million eco-friendly Jubilee Library. Dozens of cyclists felt snubbed when managers of the land on which the library was built made it clear their vision for the area 'does not include bike racks'. But in a surprise turnaround, cyclists will now get 42 cycle parking spaces. They say this will be a major boost not only to the library but to the whole area as cyclists would be encouraged to visit." Last time I looked, there were no racks on Jubilee Street and I presume the 22 new ones will be with the others by the swimming pool.

BBC NEWS: Crazy cycle lanes: some great citizen witness photos on the BBC website

No cycle parking?

jubilee_racks2
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

And then there were none! Where have the Sheffield cycle racks outside Brighton's Jubilee Library gone?

Where is the cycle parking?

jubilee_racks1
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

Only one left! Where have the Sheffield cycle racks outside Brighton's Jubilee Library gone?

Dr Bike

dr_bike
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

Dr Bike, alias Ian Davey, does a free postcoding and Dr Bike session outside Brighton Town Hall

Library racks

Library racks
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

On Saturday, I noticed that the cycle rack with missing Sheffields at the Jubilee library now had barriers round them, which provided a bit more to chain bikes to, but why? One theory is that someone is stealing the nuts and hence these types of rack have to be replaced...

Daft cycle paths at nuttycyclist.co.uk: lots of nutty cycle lanes here!

Missing Sheffields

Missing Sheffields
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

Cycle parking outside Brighton's new Jubilee Library has just been halved! Three Sheffield stands have been removed... Well, they were a bit close together! Maybe too many cyclists were using the library?

How about a ::Ride of Silence:: in Brighton?

Mock Duck - mockduck saves the world, again: some positive ideas about Brighton's cycle lanes.