Thousands of naked bicyclists swarm City of Brotherly Love

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Thousands of bicyclists dared to be bare for the city’s annual nude ride promoting positive body image, cycling advocacy and fuel conservation.

About 3,000 people gathered Saturday for the eighth annual Philly Naked Bike Ride through the city’s streets. They set off from a park near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Sylvester Stallone ran up the steps in the “Rocky” movies.

The annual ride featured people sporting underwear, body paint, glitter or nothing at all. Some riders concerned about being recognized by their parents or co-workers wore masks while others wore just their shoes.

“It’s a really open and fun way of destigmatizing nudity,” said Oren Eisenberg, who was riding nude for the fifth time.

The 12-mile ride through the City of Brotherly Love is among many related to the World Naked Bike Ride movement. The riders pedal through the City of Brotherly Love past popular spots such as Independence Hall and Rittenhouse Square, where crowds cheer them on.

The Philly Naked Bike Ride, or PNBR, is a clothing optional bare-as-you-dare event, meaning participants can wear as much or as little as they want. Organizers say it’s an invitation to be naked but they want people to be comfortable and have fun no matter how much skin they expose.