Naked bike ride event gets under group’s skin
Alberta Fights Back says protest amounts to indecent exposure
A clothing-optional bike ride through the streets of Edmonton scheduled for Saturday is rankling some people, who argue that the event amounts to indecent exposure.
Those organizing and participating in World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) Edmonton, on the other hand, say that the event is a protest meant to promote both body positivity and the use of bicycles as a sustainable energy transportation choice.
“The WNBR ride in Edmonton demonstrates that nudity and sexual behaviour are completely separate,” read a statement from event organizers. “No one gets to choose their bodies, and we have to live with them, so to some this ride is a validating form of self-expression.”
Peter Downing, the executive director of the Alberta Fights Back activist group, says public displays like this offend him and other Edmontonians.
“There are lots of private beaches, private trails, private clubs, all that kind of stuff, where if you’re a so-called naturist, you can go and be naked and do your own thing,” he said.
“You’re infringing on a lot of peoples’ freedom not to see naked adults riding down the streets.”
Ray Jorritsma, a prairie director with the Federation of Canadian Naturists, is participating in the ride. He says it’s important for protests that may be uncomfortable to some to happen in public places.
“Our form of protest is by using our natural bodies and exposing them to the public as a method of showing what we stand for,” Jorritsma said.
For Downing, the biggest concern is that children might see the nude cyclists during their rides.
“To see grown adults naked, it’s not right. As a parent, I don’t want my kids seeing naked strangers,” he said.
Jorritsma doesn’t think this is a problem, though. He calls children “natural nudists” and says that they only grow to feel uncomfortable in their bodies because of unfair societal standards.
Event organizers say Section 173 of Canada’s Criminal Code, which says that exposure to those under age 16 must have a sexual purpose in order to be considered illegal, permits the public ride.
Downing has been encouraging people to send complaints to the Edmonton Police Service, which is monitoring the event. He says he plans to attend in counter-protest and take down the names and badge numbers of any officers who do not take action against the nude riders.
“The police are selectively picking and choosing what they want to enforce. It’s discreditable conduct and it’s neglect of duty,” he said.
In an emailed statement to Postmedia, Edmonton police said they want to try to balance public concern with the rights of the nude ride participants.
“As with many other public demonstrations, the EPS will monitor the Edmonton World Naked Bike Ride to ensure public order and safety,” read the statement.
“While police officers are sworn to uphold the Criminal Code, they are also sworn to uphold the rights of Canadians that are enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Upholding both sets of laws can be a delicate task in the context of protests, but the EPS will be in attendance to ensure that the proper balance is struck.”