“Our rates paying for an event that allows naked adults to ride their bicycles in the middle of the day through our streets???
Yes that’s what happened in Port Melbourne this Sunday. Pity there was no warning. As I walked out my front door to walk my dog that is what I witnessed. many people I spoke to were not amused at all!!!!
How about some family-friendly activities for a change???”

I replied on behalf of bikefun:

hi Margaret, (or is it Bill?).

Bikefun lists rides but we aren’t the organisers of the naked ride.

However, I can inform you that your rates were not involved in this ride in any way.

The naked ride is run by volunteers who decided to visit the Bikefest. Actually they did ride down Bay St, as did many other people on bicycles on the day. I don’t think it increased your rates at all.

The event traversed a number of streets in Port Melbourne, Middle Park and St Kilda. At no cost to any level of government. The event has been held each year in different parts of Melbourne, organised without any municipal expenditure; not even a phone call would have been diverted from more important and worthy matters.

It sounds like you didn’t enjoy the experience, that’s a pity. Maybe your dog didn’t know which way to look? I’m sure your neighbourhood will settle down quickly and everyone will feel safe to go out with their dog again soon.

On the subject of what your rates were spent on, the Port Melbourne Bikefest, I did see many locals, on foot getting their coffee or groceries, some even with children, who seemed to be enjoying the car free street and the many activities. I can’t imagine a more family friendly day in Bay Street, unless you think four lanes of motor traffic flanked by parking is a very family friendly street.

As the naked ride wound its way around our public streets, we enjoyed the smiles, laughter and cheers of many onlookers, some of whom had children (or dogs) with them. I don’t think we did any lasting damage to the children’s emotional or social development. Their obviously open-minded and tolerant parents are quite possibly doing a splendid job of bringing up their children to value what is important in life over petty and mean sentiments, to value freedom exercised responsibly over conformism, and just possibly, the naked riders helped a little in expanding those children’s experience of the world, and hopefully help them to grow up with the ability to distinguish the harmful from the harmless, and added a little to their tolerance and understanding of difference.

On behalf of Bikefun (but not speaking for The World Naked Bike Ride’s Melbourne organisers),
Nicholas Dow.

Yes James…Winter Ride Plans are on the way. It really isn’t as bad as you’d think….though of course I’m not a bloke!!! The adrenalin helps and also it does warm up as you ride…we did it in the rain and still loved it….Check out the Winter ride photos. We do it at midnight….so wild for sure.

I created a great warming device for the ride….a fluffy back pack with a hot water bottle inside….amazingly effective…gloves are a must and long socks and leg warmers…..so pretty much cover everything except the so- called rudey bits

Can’t wait for more naked bike ride adventures….the stories that keep coming from the day are hilarious and I have never seen so many happy, smiling people!

Daniel Charles Frankel: Thank you for making the ride happen. It was Fabulous!!!

Mitch Davis: Oh Heidi, I had such fun today! Thank you so much for all the
organising you did. This was the best WNBR Melbourne’s seen so far,
for sure.