Why hundreds of naked cyclists are riding through Vancouver this weekend
Suns out, buns out! The World Naked Bike Ride is back in Vancouver this weekend, and participants had better remember to pack the sunscreen.
The annual World Naked Bike Ride protests car culture, the pollution cars cause, and the use of non-renewable energy like oil. Social activist, writer, and filmmaker Conrad Schmidt launched the event in Vancouver in 2002.
Last year’s event drew hundreds of cyclists for the rolling procession.
World Naked Bike Ride Vancouver/Instagram
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Today, the protest is known worldwide. Organizers say the event is a positive protest “against car culture, oil spills, and pipelines.”
“It is also a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the human-powered machine,” organizers added on the Facebook page.
World Naked Bike Ride Vancouver/Facebook
All cyclists participating in the event are asked to gather at Sunset Beach, where Bute Street and Beach Avenue meet, at noon for body painting. The ride will officially kick off at 2 p.m.
As the ride wraps up, the group will have a celebratory picnic held by the clothing-optional rights group Naked Iconoclasts Fighting The Yoke (NIFTY), and everyone is welcome to attend.
Those looking to ride in this year’s event are in luck, as the weather forecast is calling for clear skies on Saturday, July 4.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 21°C, though the UV Index will be seven or higher. So make sure to slap on the sunscreen.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around Vancouver this weekend and beyond.
World Naked Bike Ride Vancouver
When: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Body painting starts at noon, the ride starts at 2 p.m.
Where: Gather at Sunset Beach, where Bute Street and Beach Avenue meet
Cost: Free