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Photos of the World Naked Bike Ride in Toronto
The World Naked Bike Ride made its Toronto stop this weekend, marking what has become an annual protest against our dependency on non-renewable energy. Participants embarked on the 14K route at around 1pm from Coronation Park at Bathurst and Lake Shore, and proceeded to shock, charm, and delight those around them for the better part of an hour. As is always the case, half of the fun was watching people's reactions to the riders (or, as the case may be, their stern refusal to react at all).
With so many other distractions, there was only a modest stir at Yonge and Dundas, but once the ride arrived at Bay and Queen, tourists and locals alike grabbed their cameras and rushed to the side of the street to capture the seemingly bizarre moment. Once again all shapes, sizes, and ages took part and it seemed as though a good time was had by all.
PHOTOS
Note: While some of the more explicit shots below have been censored, if you're not into looking at naked bodies, it'd probably be best to move along.
Writing and first five photos by Scott Snider, sixth photo by sevres-babylone, seventh photo by Vlade Shestakov, eight through 10 by Natta Summerky, and the last by yedman in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Discussion
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Run a photo above the fold with no nudie bits, and put a warning that if you click through you may see some human anatomy.
1.
"Above the fold" doesn't mean much when more than 50 per cent of the readers of this post will arrive via a search engine. And, given that many will scroll through the photos immediately, the effectiveness of warning system is dubious.
2.
Putting blogTO logos over private parts always looks playful and funny, which actually fits the event quite well.
3. If you're looking for uncensored photos, in the vast majority of cases, they can be found by clicking on the photographer credits.
Oh wait, I think People Magazine runs that course... sign up now for fall registration.
are there no laws in this city?
a brief outline about a court case on nudity, not so simple.
http://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/world/canada/caeditorial008.htm
I added the little black box to one shot in order to be able to post to my Flickr account without having to classify the images as "Adult" which cuts them off from the view of many Flickr users.
This could be a sponsorship opportunity for Bixi next year-I think they could really get "behind" this event.
eeeew.
Filthy inconsiderate environmentalists. Whodathunkit?
Guy with mask and a camera? Yeah, someone should have taken him out.
They should be arrested.
That is completely unhygenic.
This is bad enough on your own bike but those bikes are not their property.
that is disgusting!!!!!!!.. was considering doing the Bixi Bike thing for the summer.. now .. NO WAY IN HELL !!!
think this whole naked bike ride thing is just plain STUPID.. a bunch of exhibitionists - they all should be arrested.. this isn't a nude beach where it is expected. and people voluntarily attend at their own free will- this is a public place - in the city nonetheless.. with CHILDREN around.. glad I decided not to go shopping - or else I would have faced this display of patheticness -
this is soooo wrong on so many levels...
If your so afraid of hygiene wear a has mat suit, or better yet stay at home and lock yourselves away.
Please explain all those levels were this is wrong?
What about the children? When do you propose to tell them they are human and have bodies? No wonder so many have body image problems.
and having respect of those around you - which obviously is lacking - would you ride a bike with some strangers gizz over it after they rode it..without hesitation.. ????
and don't get me started about Children..
since when is it mandatory for all children to be subjected to nudity- they are CHILDREN.. not ADULTS.
tell me how does this solve children having body issues in the future??? - it is up to parenting and the environment to which they are in..
why just stop at this nude biking spectacle- show them porn while you are at it..
your going on about responses being ignorant and idiotic.
I think you should rethink what it is you are so against here. I am not out for an argument here.. but I just find it sad that some find it this all acceptable.
no wonder society is soo messed up nowadays..
Can't but feel people complaining about how filthy this is are the ones that leave public wash rooms in such a disgusting condition. Flush the toilet people and wipe after yourself.
Nothing immoral about having a healthy age appropriate discussion with a child about their bodies and how it functions. If they ask a question I answer it honestly. They are going to find out anyways better to have the facts. Remember you brought up the children.
'OK little Johnny go have a wee wee, just don't look down' LOL there.
That is why the people on the bixi bikes are the real criminals!
destruction of property (bikes)
I hope Bixi goes after those smart guys riding the bikes
the other naked riders don't bother me so much becuase at least they are on thei OWN BIKES!
And what about the obese carbon assprint the guy bringing up the rear weighs down on poor ol' Mother Earth? Gluttonous over-consumption of food needs to be classified as enviro-crime.
Of a bicycle made for two ... million.
Get over yourself.
a bicycle seat touches between your crack and all the dirty parts!!!!! and you sweat while biking
not a very good comparison bomblucky
and i highly doubt that person rides their bike to get around regularly :S
a bicycle seat touches between your crack and all the dirty parts!!!!! and you sweat while biking
not a very good comparison bomblucky"
the amount i paid for my computer? roughly 1000 dollars (many years ago)
the cost of a monthly internet connection? 55 dollars or so
Steve explaining the difference between sitting on a toilet seat and sitting on a bike while nude? priceless
My pix here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericparker/sets/72157626823225121/
Some of these people are probably riding a bike for the first time in years, judging from their obviously overweight and atrophied bodies.
And using a Bixi for this "protest"? Oh come on, you inconsiderate prick. Did it not occur to you the next person riding that bike may not your disgusting fecal matter all over the seat?
What exactly does exibitionism have to do with the "goal" of this? I've never understood that. Are all "naturalists" enviro-friendly by default? I don't think so.
Does it make you feel better to take cheap shots at people who's bodies somehow don't hold up to the airbrushed standard of the world? Shit. Should they be locked up in their house for fear of anyone seeing them as the heinous Other? Do you know what their story is and why they're "bigger" or whatever? My best friend is seriously overweight because she has cancer and at the moment there is nothing she can do about it, would some of you like to say this shit to her face? Go try.
It's either you're "fat and gross" or in my case "too skinny and obviously bulimic cos there's no way you eat so much and not throw up," ughhhh - pretty effin irksome just the same.
My other issue is with the dimwits who are up in arms about the Bixi bikes. Are you people really that germ-phobic OCD? Laughter was my first reaction until I scrolled down and realized there's so many people really seriously offended by this. I guess they have no idea what kind of germs and bacteria get spread around everywhere they go. What do you think will happen if you sit on a Bixi seat after someone was riding naked on it days/weeks/months ago? Do you think that through your clothes you're gonna catch some effin disease? Give me a break.
For those of you so preciously offended, how do you live? I can only imagine the neuroses you must be battling within you. Geez.
Reminder: bring something with you to wash the seat and grips next time you rent bixi
It is YOUR comments that are offensive to people who actually think before opening their mouths. Please refrain from doing so in the future.
The most important lesson I learned was how hundreds of people can get together all over the world, have a wonderful time, and just be themselves without worrying about what makes a person attractive or gross.
Why do we even need to measure this and according to whose scale? In the bike rides, there are literally all ages, including great-grandpa. Will he have a "perfect" body, even if he has been biking his entire life? Should his wrinkles be hidden?
It was incredibly liberating for me personally. This was the year I finally accepted my own body unconditionally, without comparisons, judgments, or fears. I am an overweight woman in my mid-50s. Being ashamed of my body does not help it. Accepting it does. Shame used to discourage me from even joining a gym or going swimming: I was worried about showing my jiggling arms and legs. How insane is that?
I am for anything that encourages mental and emotional health in our society, not to mention physical health. Anyone want to join the bike-ride in June 2012?
Being that it was a new and different route from all previous years, made the ride all that more interesting.
I missed seeing some friends like Asta, who is a great person with a great outlook on life, and also my friend from Ottawa Mr. G who couldn't make it.
I look forward to the 2012 event and participating with all the wonderful assembly of caring people whom goes the distance to express a worthy cause.
At least this year I remembered to inflate my rear tire. Lol.