World Naked Bike Ride Amsterdam 2010 - Amsterdam Spoke, Amsterdam English Online Magazine Amsterdam news

World Naked Bike Ride Amsterdam 2010

Jun 24, 2010 at 02:28 AM

If you ever had the desire to ride naked on your bike in the middle of the city, you have just missed the World Naked Bike Ride in Amsterdam.

We, the Amsterdam Spoke took extra measures in order to bring the event to you. Covering the event was easy. Trying to upload our videos to online sharing sites, was much more difficult and our video was popular for few hours only before it was taken off. So much for freedom of expression... I guess that is one of the disadvantages of shooting HD quality.

Amazing as it may sound; WNBR is a major event worldwide, attracting thousands of people worldwide and is actually a protest against usage of cars and is supporting using bicycles instead.

So far, there were two earlier WNBR events in Amsterdam, 2005 and 2009. The first one was rather modest with a course through the outskirts and nature in the neighborhood, but from 2008, the national Dutch WNBR wants to present their message clearly to the public by the slogans on their bodies and bikes and by circling through the center of Amsterdam.

WNBR's message is one that most of us can relate to. We quote:

Too many people think they need a car, need external energy to move on. But in many cases, we can do without cars and other motorized vehicles: we have legs, we can move on with our own power and we are proud that we can!

So, leave your car and use your legs (when possible, and it might be possible in more cases than you think now!). It is much better for your body and it is much better for your mind: moving yourself makes you happier. it is much better for the environment: using mineral energy causes pollution and changing the climate. Moreover, the need for oil is the hidden background for many cruel wars (Irak for instance).

So, enjoy moving yourself with your own power!

Many people want to show their cars (ugly stinking, oil wasting, polluting and casualties causing things!) as a status symbol. In the WNBR we proudly show our bodies with our own power to move ourselves, and without shame. And we show our fun, enjoying riding by bike, open and free!

The bike ride started at the Amstel station on a beautiful sunny day and the group rode via the Centrum of Amsterdam to the end point at Vondel Park. Needless to say, they attracted lots of attention from both locals and tourists. One of our crewmember was especially cruel and told a group of shocked tourists that this is a daily phenomena in Amsterdam.

Whatever the reason participators had for joining the ride, we must admit they were brave. Some people that missed the ride contacted us and suggested to ride naked another day, just to support the cause.

You can find more on the WNBR on:http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org

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