With temperatures in the upper 90s this weekend, Portland's annual World Naked Bike Ride couldn't have come at a better time.
Bicyclists baring what they dare rolled through city neighborhoods at 9 p.m. Saturday.
The original intent of the annual ride was to protest against dependence on fossil fuels, which is still a core reason many show up year after year. But since its start in 2004, many others ride to celebrate cycling and other reasons — some just like the feeling of the wind on their skin as they bike. Skateboarders, rollerbladers, joggers and scooterers have also shown up in previous years.
Jarred Austin participated in the ride for the second year in a row, and said the energy this year was just as good, if not better than the year before. His main reason for participating? Body positivity. "It's kind of like therapy for mass numbers, we all come together and just let loose. My biggest message is body positivity because once you feel good about yourself then you can make a difference in the world," said Austin.
The Portland police recognize that the Naked Bike Ride participants violate Portland's Indecent Exposure City Code, but spokesperson Sgt. Pete Simpson said in a statement that the bureau would "exercise discretion as long as participants stay on the route with the rest of the riders."
And — "at a bare minimum" — police recommended riders wear helmets and shoes.
To date, World Naked Bike Rides are held in 75 U.S. cities and 20 countries. Portland still has the largest turnout each year, with some 10,000 riders attending in 2014.
Christina Belasco
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Christina Belasco
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Christina Belasco
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Christina Belasco
/"It's kind of like therapy for mass numbers, we all come together and just let loose. My biggest message is body positivity because once you feel good about yourself then you can make a difference in the world," said Austin.
Christina Belasco
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Christina Belasco
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Christina Belasco
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Christina Belasco
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Christina Belasco
/Copyright 2015 Oregon Public Broadcasting