World Naked Bike Ride Manchester 2021

It was a balmy, barmy Friday 13th evening in Manchester. For the 14th time, a group of brave protesters shed their clothes and set out on their bikes to amuse and bemuse unsuspecting Mancunians.

The issue of climate change has become even more in the news lately, as most of the world has realised that it is undeniable, and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Riding a bike, rather than burning fossil fuels is one way to tackle the problem, and these brave WNBR people are doing their bit to make the general public take notice. By baring all, or as much as they dare, they turn heads and make people ask questions. Riding a bicycle can be hazardous, so another message they are alerting us to is that the roads need to be safer for cyclists. Bodies are all shapes and sizes, so participating without clothes is a way of expressing body positivity.

It’s one of my favourite annual events for street photography. I have covered 5 rides, so far. I like to choose strategic vantage points as the peloton winds its way through the city centre. My favourite part of the route is the famous Canal Street in the Gay Village. You can almost guarantee that you will see outrageous characters there, and capturing them interacting with the cyclists is just what street photographers are looking for. This year didn’t disappoint.

You can view my coverage of rides from 2015 to 2018 on YouTube.