Naked cyclists protest against cars on the streets of Mexico City and London

Hundreds of naked cyclists roamed the streets of Mexico City on Saturday (8) to protest against car culture and demand rights for cyclists.

Protesters, some completely naked and others in underwear, made their way through the traffic-choked city to take part in the World Naked Bike Ride to promote the use of bicycles instead of automobiles and demand respect for cyclists.

Part of the idea of ​​the movement is to make cyclists more visible and raise awareness among drivers about their safety.

“This march is a protest,” said Mayte, one of the protesters. “Its purpose is to raise public awareness about the use of hydrocarbons and how fragile a cyclist’s body is when we share the roads,” she added.

In recent years, Mexico City, one of the largest and most polluted cities in the world, has launched an ambitious bike-sharing scheme for citizens and built cycle paths to combat the city’s famous car culture.

Although bicycle use is increasing, accidents involving cyclists and cars are frequent and sometimes fatal. Cyclists say they need better, safer infrastructure, including more bike lanes.

Through the streets of London

The streets of the English capital were also taken over by protests. Naked protesters on bikes came together to rally against car-centric culture and celebrate body positivity.

The World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024, aims to demonstrate the vulnerability of cyclists, protest global dependence on oil and create a fun and free atmosphere for participants and spectators.

The march started at various points around the city, before joining a group of more than a thousand cyclists who cycled to the final point at Wellington Arch.

The route was diverted from its normal path along Westminster Bridge to avoid tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marching towards the Houses of Parliament.