Hundreds of naked cyclists strip down to their helmets

HUNDREDS of cyclists stripped down for the World Naked Bike Ride pedalling through the streets wearing only their helmets.

Some cyclists made their away around the bustling streets of Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday and were snapped in little more than a helmet and some body paint.

Many others were snapped wearing wigs, flags and even a bowtie.

The World Naked Bike is annual event to raise awareness of cyclists, walkers and drivers on the road.

In Cape Town, some were cycling to protest air pollution created by fossil fuels.

Juanita Pretorius, an environmentalist told local SABC news: “It’s very important because you see, tomorrow and the day after, then you are not here anymore and the children have to see that you are the parent that stands up for their rights and for their world and to have them a safer world because you are here for the children of tomorrow.”

The nude event happens in more than 70 cities across the globe, including London and Melbourne.

In the town of Nimbin, in New South Wales, Australia cyclists stripped down.

Tommy Brodgen, the organiser of the 2019 Naked Bike Ride for his town, said he was surprised the regional town of Lismore, NSW, Australia, lacked road safety awareness.

He told The Northern Star: “I’m surprised that with some excellent road safety awareness in Nimbin and Byron Bay, that Lismore car drivers seem a bit slow to catch up.

“I live in town and cycle all over the place – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a speeding car almost run down or cut me off.

“This is why more people need to join the World Naked Bike Ride – to show drivers how vulnerable the rest of us are on the roads.”

The first World Naked Bike Ride was held in 2003 in Vancouver, Canada and it was to protest against war.

By 2010, it had reached 74 cities in 14 different countries.