BOULDER — Employing some creative methods that included strategically positioning stickers, thongs and homemade codpieces, the 35 or so people who participated in Saturday’s World Naked Bike Ride in Boulder managed to stay barely legal.
According to Boulder police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley, none of the riders — who were protesting oil dependence and car culture for the fifth annual event — were ticketed, despite warnings last week that the department would enforce state indecent-exposure laws.
“The group was very cooperative,” Huntley said in a news release. “The communications center received no calls or complaints about the ride this year.”
The unabashed group assembled at 4 p.m. near north Boulder’s Hawthorn Community Gardens.
Taking a moment to mostly disrobe and apply some body paint, the group received final words of caution from an organizer who had met with an officer at the scene: Cover the genitals, obey traffic laws and don’t linger near children.
“So long as they cover their genitals, they can have a great ride and have a good time,” police Cmdr. Curt Johnson said.
Police and event organizers said there’s nothing illegal about women going topless, though, to which one woman screamed, “Thank you” and promptly removed her shirt.
The group made its way through the rain and cruised along the Pearl Street Mall to a crowd of cheering onlookers and camera flashes.
Bill McCollam, 65, lives along the route the bikers took.
“We think it’s funny,” he said. “None of our neighbors mind.”
Officers didn’t ticket anyone during last year’s fully naked ride, leading some participants this year to question the sudden policy change.
Police have said a conviction on indecent exposure charges could lead to mandatory registration as a sex offender.
