Date & Time: 
Friday, June 16, 2017 - 3:40pm to Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 11:59pm
Location(s): 

A year has passed since the last World Naked Bike Ride, and June 17th, 2017 will mark yet another year where naked bike riders will take to streets of Madison Wisconsin. The greater community should know that the specific route has not been announced by the promoter of the event, but Madison residents should fully expect streets, in the downtown area/isthmus area, to be utilized; which is in keeping with what routes have been used, by event participants, in the past.  Bicycles, unicycles, and even skaters have been known to participate in this annual event, and The Madison Police Department wants to make sure that all citizens are aware and what to expect. Additional information can be obtained from accessing the link noted below: http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

In past years, this event has created a variety of different responses from citizens asking questions about the legalities of such an event. The public is reminded that while the public indecency ordinance seems to be a likely resolution, by way of an officer issuing a citation to a person who was not clothed and participating in this event, public nudity is not a violation of that particular ordinance. The behavior would have to involve much more than not being clothed, and would need to involve lewd and lascivious acts; act(s) for which would constitute a clear violation of the ordinance. It should also be known that disorderly conduct cannot be enforced for mere nakedness!

Since laws do not exist to regulate this type of behavior, officers who are working in the areas of the biking event will strive to keep things safe for all involved parties; as the group of riders will take to the open streets to exercise their First Amendment rights. The expectations will be that event participants follow all local traffic rules and respect the rights of others who elect not to participate in what event promoters have described as a "world-wide joyful celebration".

PO Howard Payne
Public Information Officer
Madison Police Department

Event Cost: Free
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Sponsoring Organization(s): World Naked Bike Ride
Pre-Registration?: No
American Sign Language (ASL) Provided?: No

Last Updated : 06/16/2017
Agency: Police
Tags: Bike